WHO seeks ban on tobacco marketing campaigns in Pakistan

World Health Organisation (WHO) has strongly urged the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Co-ordination to comprehensively ban all tobacco marketing campaigns in Pakistan. It is learnt here on Thursday that WHO has also asked Ministry of Health to reject all claims made by tobacco industry to freely advertise their products which causes deaths, diseases and disabilities all over the country.
On the issue of tobacco advertisements, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Co-ordination was of the view that Pakistan is a signatory of the FCTC and reversing the regulations would make it the only country where such tobacco advertisement freedoms are allowed.
Experts said that the FCTC is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO. The Convention was developed in response to the globalisation of the tobacco epidemic. The prime necessity all over the world is to protect all from health hazards, deaths, diseases, and disabilities. It is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health.
The FCTC was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2003 and entered into force in 2005. It has since become one of the most rapidly and widely embraced treaties in history of United Nations thereby affirming global consensus against tobacco marketing campaigns.
Pakistan is duty bound to adopt and follow FCTC in its national legislation. The very spirit of that treaty is to seek a tobacco free world. It is established principle of law that all authorities in Pakistan should endeavour to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in discharge of their functions. Earlier this month, a cigarette manufacturer approached the judicial fora against Ministry of Health and described all tobacco laws in Pakistan as irrational and unreasonable.
According to experts, Article 13 of the Treaty calls for a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Pakistan was one of the first 40 states to ratify the WHO FCTC in 2004, thereby enabling its early entry into force in 2005. The obligations contained in the Convention became therefore binding for Pakistan in 2005. The treaty is in place to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption.
About issue of tobacco advertisements, Dr Javaid A Khan, Chairman National Alliance for Tobacco Control said that Pakistan cannot go against FCTC as WHO and other international donor organisations would not cooperate with any Government which gives free hand to tobacco industry to promote and advertise its lethal products. He urged the government, civil society and health professionals to take the matter to the Supreme Court to stop the pressure tactics of the multinational tobacco industry. He further stated that comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship is the first step for tobacco control in any country.