No Tobacco Day observed

LAHORE: On the 1st of Ramazan, National No-Tobacco Day observed across the country to create awareness against the fatality of smoking. Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) arranged seminars, lectures and distributed brochures to sensitise public about this menace. The aim of celebrating the day was to encourage smokers to quit smoking using Ramazan’s will power to endure long fasts.

Pakistan is among top 15 countries of the world in tobacco production and consumption. It is estimated that 1,50,000 lives are lost annually due to excess of tobacco consumption in Pakistan.

Central President of PIMA Prof Muhammad Afzal Mian and former presidents Dr Misbah-ul-Aziz and Prof Sohail Akhtar talked about the alarming situation due to smoking. They were of the view that the sacred month of Ramazan was ideal for bringing to light the harmful effects of tobacco on the body and to encourage people to quit smoking. This is because people are forced to quit smoking while fasting anyway and if they try they can develop will power to say goodbye to smoking forever.