A cigarette manufacturing company has filed a petition in Sindh High Court (SHC) pleading that the government should lift the ban on advertisement and promotion activities of tobacco products. It is learnt here on Tuesday that the company seeks to lift ban on tobacco advertisements and promotional activities. The hearing of the case has been fixed for May 28 in SHC Karachi.
In the petition, sources said that the company observed the existence of federal ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Co-ordination (NHSRC) and its allied functions particularly CTAG dealing with the rules and regulations on tobacco advertisement is un-constitutional.
The said company also pleaded that Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of non-smokers ordinance 2002 and all other tobacco promotional regulations are also unconstitutional and as investors they have right to advertise their cigarette products. Sources said that the objective of this petition apparently stated that the company has been seeking the freedom to advertise and promote tobacco products. The said ministry had imposed restrictions on tobacco advertisement restrictions from May 31, 2014.
According to the text of the filed petition, these restrictions placed by the Ministry of Health National Health, Services, Regulations and Co-ordination are irrational, unduly harsh and extremely unreasonable. The highest judicial fora already in its decision dated 30 October 2006 had directed all executive authorities of the country to ensure the strict and effective implementation of Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of non-smokers ordinance, 2002.
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