Tobacco consumption rises amid lax enforcement of laws

Islamabad:Tobacco consumption has been increasing among the youth due to operational obstacle in tobacco control laws and policies is Pakistan, said the participants of a policy dialogue on tobacco control concluded on Tuesday.

Member of provincial assembly of Punjab Tahira Mushtaq, Senior Joint Secretary of Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Sohail Akhtar Malik, Dean Health Services Academy Dr Mati ur Rehman, Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services representative Abdul Nabi Solangi, Syed Ishtiaq Gilani from Child Rights Movement, Deputy Director (ICT-PIERA) Malik Sohail Mehmood, Asif Hussain from Higher Education Commission, Director General Human Rights at Ministry of Human Rights Abdul Sattar, Regional Director Dr. Maheen Malik were present at the policy dialogue organized by Aurat Foundation. A group of concerned mothers, students of health services academy and youth group from Sangjani also participated in the dialogue.

MPA Tahira Mushtaq while speaking at the event said that they will move a comprehensive legislation at the provincial assembly of Punjab for tobacco control in the province. Moreover, she said that other tobacco products like ‘gutka’, ‘bidi’, ‘naswaar’ as well as emerging products e-cigarettes, velo, shall also be controlled. Senior joint secretary Sohail Akhtar Malik informed that Federal Ministry of Education has instructed all schools both public and private to adhere to the provisions of law prohibiting use and sale of tobacco products in and around the education institutions.

Representative of ICT-Private Education Institutions Regulatory Authority Malik Sohail Mehmood said that all institutions have been notified to enforce a ban on tobacco products within and around their premises.

Dr Mati ur Rehman, Dean Health Services Academy informed the participants in detail about the hazards of tobacco use. Asif Hussain, Higher Education Commission presented in length the policy of Higher Education Commission on tobacco control being implemented in 266 universities in the country. Abdul Nabi Solangi from Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services analysed different laws vis a vis tobacco control in Pakistan and the lack of laws therein. Dr. Maheen Malik, Regional Director Asia for Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) told that CTFK was acting globally with the sport of Bloomberg for the control and of tobacco and emerging products.

Razia Sultana, member of a political activist from Punjab said, “We are deeply concerned that in the national budget of 2024-25, wherein every product was heavily taxed, even the lifesaving drugs and daily use food items were not spared from taxation but only tobacco was spared from any taxation.” She demanded 26% imposition of tax on all tobacco products.