Ban on sale of sheesha, gutka and mainpuri in Sindh lauded

A coalition of over 250 organisations on tobacco control on Friday appreciated the Sindh government’s decision on placing a ban on the sale and use of sheesha, gutka and mainpuri in the province.

Representatives of the Coalition for Tobacco Control-Pakistan (CTC-Pak), at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, termed it another major milestone in the fight against tobacco epidemic, and a significant step to protect all citizens against the debilitating, but preventable tobacco-related disease.

The Sindh cabinet on October 1 decided to impose a ban on the sale and use of sheesha, gutka and mainpuri and smoking at public places.

Faraz Ahmed, CTC-Pak’s Associate National Coordinator, said that a large number of young boys and girls unnecessarily suffered from diseases caused by tobacco use that could be prevented by implementing tobacco control laws under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) guidelines.

“Tobacco control can be achieved when there is political will, quality advocacy campaigns, and when we harness the determination and will of our nation,” Ali said. “The Sindh government has set a perfect example for other provincial governments and federal government to give serious attention to pending tobacco control laws in good faith, ensuring good health of citizens of Pakistan and pledging to overcome the factors which cause chronic diseases.”

Mir Zulfiqar Ali, another leader, said that the coalition had been keeping an eye on what the Sindh government was doing on this issue since 2012. “The Sindh government, especially its new chief minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, has taken a huge step towards the wellbeing of its citizens by banning gutka and mainpuri.” 

He claimed that after the notification of the ban, the Sindh secretary asked the provincial police chief to implement the decision.

Bilal Zafar, the CTC-Pak coalation partner, said the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (MNHSRC) had demonstrated exemplary measures by ordering enhanced pictorial health warnings from 40 percent to 85 percent on the front and back of cigarette packs in January 2015.

“This stance by the Pakistani government has not only set an example within the Asia region, but also Pakistan has become one of the few countries in the world which prioritised the health of its citizens over corporate interests. However, since the announcing of this public health measure, the tobacco industry managed to influence the MNHSRC to delay the implementation of enhanced pictorial size policy,” he said.

The CTC-Pak is the first and most prominent entity working towards smokeless tobacco control in partnership with the Pakistan Medical Association and in collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids trying to find a way to restrict its use.