Re-enactment of Tobacco Vendor Licensing suggested in KP

PESHAWAR: A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Tobacco Vendor Licensing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa summed up with a consensus of participants in calling for re-enactment of the law with emphasis on reducing accessibility and exposure of tobacco products.

The FGD was organized by Blue Veins, a non-governmental organization, to engage diverse stakeholders in discussion to gather comprehensive feedback, concerns, and recommendations for tobacco vendor licensing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Based on the findings and recommendations of FGD, a detailed report and policy recommendations will be developed and submitted to relevant authorities to strengthen tobacco sales regulations, licensing requirements, license issuing, penalties for violations, etc,” said Sana Ahmad, Programme Manager, Blue Veins.

In her welcome address, Sana apprised participants about efforts being made by Blue Veins and other organizations for the implementation of Tobacco control laws in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

She said Blue Veins was providing technical support to the government of KP for strengthening tobacco control through the implementation of the Provincial Action Plan 2024.Sana also talked about the measures for the passage of a new law to ban the sale of e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products to underage youth and within the vicinity of the educational institutions.

She said the Tobacco Vendor Act of 1958 was repealed in the Finance Bill of 1999 as a result of which there was no check on sale points of tobacco products in the province.During the discussion, the participants suggested imposing restrictions on the accessibility of tobacco products through easy sale by every shopkeeper and vendors.

Some of the participants suggested for enforcement of `Franchise’ system for the sale of tobacco products, restricting sale points in the city.They said that proper taxation on franchises would serve as a good revenue generation source for the government besides saving youth from exposure to tobacco products especially newer ones in the shape of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.

A recommendation was also flouted for constituting of “Local Committee” at the community level to keep vigilance on the sale of tobacco products by shops.The committee members should warn shopkeepers that if laws were violated by selling open cigarettes and entertaining minors, locals would boycott purchasing any products from them.

The participants proposed the imposition of proper license fees on tobacco sellers and strict fines in case of violation of laws restricting the sale of tobacco products to youngsters and doing business within the vicinity of educational institutions.The discussants suggested creating awareness about tobacco damage to health, calling for engaging the government departments and civil society activists for that.