Enforcement of laws to curb smoking ordered

LAHORE: Commissioner Lahore Division Muhammad Ali Randhawa has directed all the government departments to make their offices smoke-free and display ‘Smoking is strictly prohibited’ board inside their offices.

In this regard, first of all, the heads of all departments will nominate a focal person and two master trainers of their department at the division level, who will be trained in making the City smoke-free.

During the first meeting for anti-smoking held here Thursday, the Commissioner said that the participation of representatives of all departments would be ensured in the Divisional Implementation Committee for Anti-Smoking.

He directed the heads of all departments to make their establishments smoke-free and display ‘Smoking is strictly prohibited’ board inside their offices. Enforcement of anti-tobacco laws in vehicles, hotels and restaurants would be ensured and violation will not be tolerated under any circumstances and police can take immediate action against violators.

He said that strict enforcement of rules at public places was necessary for which every department must prepare its work plan in two weeks and inform the administration. He said that education authorities would provide the data about shops within 50 meters from all schools and colleges to the commissioner's office and organise speech and writing competition to highlight creativity among children against tobacco.

He issued instructions to initiate checking on the sale of all tobacco products near educational institutions. Furthermore, open cigarettes and tobacco advertisements on shops were open violations and action would be taken against it and a report would be submitted to the Commissioner's office every month.

He said that complaints would be made customary on Smoke-Free Pakistan mobile application for violation of smoking laws. Aftab Ahmed from the Ministry of National Health also attended the meeting. Speaking on this occasion, he said that more than 160,000 people die due to smoking in Pakistan every year and 1,200 Pakistani children between the ages of 6 and 15 years start smoking regularly. He demanded the government not only stop the newcomers but also help the smokers to get rid of this scourge.