Tobacco Control Cell of the Cabinet Division has issued legal notice to a local cigarette manufacturer for publishing tobacco advertisements in print media, in violation of Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002. Sources told Business Recorder on Saturday as per Tobacco Control Cell, full-page advertisements of some brands appeared in print media during November 2011.
This is gross violation of SRO 382(l)/2007 dated August 21, 2007 issued under section 7 of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002 wherein it was stipulated that with effect from May 31, 2007 tobacco advertisement will not be more than one square inch.
There is also violation of SRO F.13-05/2O03 dated October 25, 2003 issued under section 7 of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smoking Health Ordinance 2002 wherein it was stipulated that health warning will be required on tobacco advertisement on all other channels/media ie newspapers, magazines, cinemas, handbills and given away materials, the size of this health warning will be proportionate to the ad but not less than 1/5th of the total ad and will be legible. Tobacco advertisement is prohibited in publications intended for young people and advertising directed at young people is prohibited.
The notice issued to the unit said that these marketing activities by the company prima facie constitute the violation of aforesaid SRO 882(i) 2007 dated August 21, 2007 and notification SRO F.13-05/2003 H.E dated October 25, 2003 issued under section 7 of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002.
"In view of the foregoing the unit is hereby directed to submit a written reply within 7 days of the receipt of the notice as to why necessary legal action under Prohibition of Smoking and Protection on Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002 may not be initiated against the responsible management of the company for aforesaid prima facie violation of law," the added.
Comments
Comments are closed.