Experts addressing a workshop jointly organised by Sindh Health Department and WHO on Monday warned that inability to ban tobacco smoking could increase the incidence of relevant deaths by 70 percent in the country. They on the occasion also urged the concerned authorities to impose immediate and total ban on advertising of tobacco made products particularly cigarettes and to also ensure strict implementation of rules and regulation related to smoking and tobacco consumption in the country.
Speakers sought incorporation of information regarding use of tobacco and its by-products on human health in the curriculum of secondary and high schools of the country. Increase in the cost of tobacco made goods, including cigarettes by a minimum 10 percent, was also recommended by the speakers of the programme.
Speakers including doctors as well as representatives from media, civil society and policy makers regretted that steady increase in the use of cigarettes was registered, particularly among the youth, in the country because of its low cost and poor implementation of relevant laws. "Pakistanis are spending an estimated amount of Rs 120,000 daily on cigarette smoking," said Dr Javed Alam.
He also referred to immense popularity of Sheesha smoking among youngsters and women in the country. "We have to make people understand that tobacco consumption is the single most common cause for oral cancers and that cigarette smoking is equally hazardous for people around the smokers," said the senior physician. Other speakers including Shahzad Alam, Dr Suresh Kumar and others sought concerted efforts for implementation of "no smoking" at each and every public place, including hotels, restaurants, public transport, hospitals and educational institutions.
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