Tobacco companies should not be allowed to sponsor sports events as this promotes use of cigarettes, a major source of lung cancers, said Dr Abrar Ahmed Javed, head of Oncology department, Nishtar hospital, Multan.
Speaking at a seminar, held in connection with the 'World No Tobacco Day' on Saturday, he said the cigarette manufacturers, through their attractive TV ads, present smoking as a 'heroic deed', which spoils the young generation. "Fight against tobacco use is in fact a battle to prevent cancer." He disclosed that 45 percent cancers are related to tobacco, having smoked or not.
Dr Abrar called upon the government to ban cultivation of tobacco so that avoidable cancers caused by its use may be prevented. He gave following recommendations to check and curtail smoking: Government should have clear policy on ban of cultivation and promotion of tobacco and import of tobacco products used in paan, gutka, paan masala, naswar and beera.
Mass education for public, patients and physicians to increase awareness about hazards and prevention from tobacco use. The education and awareness of health workers including doctors, nurses and paramedics is more important. Developing social climate in which smoking is unacceptable.
This will encourage smokers and smokeless tobacco users to give up this dangerous habit. Protect the right of non-smokers to be free from passive smoking and thus breathe clean air. Inclusion of smokeless tobacco in the prohibition of smoking and protection of non-smoker health ordinance 2002. Implementation of ban on smoking in public places. Stop promotion of cigarettes on television.
Tobacco companies should not be allowed to sponsor sports events. Increase prices and taxation on cigarettes to discourage users. Sales restriction (minimum age 18-21 years). Allocate resources for continuous anti-tobacco activity aimed at all segments of the society (especially teenagers). Encourage smokers to stop and prevent others particularly young people from taking up smoking.