Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has imposed a ban on import of flavoured/ non-flavoured Sheesha (tobacco and tobacco free) related substance in compliance with the Cabinet decision.
According to official documents, the Cabinet was informed on September 30, that tobacco use was the single largest preventable cause of death in the world that it caused deaths of around 108,800 persons every year in Pakistan; that smoking tobacco in Pakistan including Sheesha was used by about 3.7 million adults; and that according to WHO Advisory Note, using a Sheesha to smoke tobacco posed a serious health hazard to smokers and to others exposed to the smoke emitted.
The Cabinet was apprised that the Supreme Court of Pakistan, vide its order dated 4th May, 2016 in suo moto case No 11 of 2006, had shown serious concerns over the rampant use of Sheesha and had directed the federal government to impose complete ban on its import; that to comply with the directions of the court, these orders were communicated to the Ministry of Commerce for imposing complete ban.
However, the court showed its dissatisfaction over measures taken by the Government of Pakistan and granted one month's time to ban the import. The Cabinet was updated that in order to ban the import of Sheesha and related substance, appropriate amendment in Import Policy Order issued vide SRO 345(1)/2016 dated 18th April, 2016 was required; and that Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet, in its meeting held on 26th July, advised to place the case before the Cabinet for approval.
The Cabinet was further informed that the FBR was consulted regarding financial implications of the ban and that the FBR supported the proposal to protect society from its harmful effects despite revenue implications of Rs 90 million (approx) arising out of ban on the import of tobacco including Sheesha.
In terms of rule 16(1)(h) of the Rules of Business 1973, approval of the Cabinet was solicited for imposing ban on Import of Flavoured/ Non-Flavoured Sheesha (Tobacco and Tobacco Free) and related Substance in compliance with the order passed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The accorded approval to ban the import of Sheesha and related substance through appropriate amendment(s) in the Import Policy Order issued vide SRO 345(1)/2016 dated 18th April, 2016 with the direction to Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Division that strict compliance with the existing anti-smoking laws should be ensured. After receiving decision from the Cabinet Division, Commerce Ministry got the SRO vetted from the Ministry of Law and Justice and issued SRO 970 to ban import of all kinds of Sheesha substance.