Human Development Foundation holds event

LAHORE: An event was held to create an alliance of civil society organisations, academia, hospitals, youth groups and media to advocate for legislative changes at provincial and federal level for elimination of tobacco use in Pakistan.

Tobacco epidemic is spreading in Pakistan at an alarming rate. Currently, the ratio of male and female smokers has increased in the youth bracket. In the adult bracket, there is one female smoker for every five male smokers; however, among youth, for every two boys, there is on girl, who is a smoker, the speakers said.

Although there is a Tobacco Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Ordinance no. LXXIV of 2002, passed by the government of Pakistan; which restricts tobacco use at public places and public service vehicles along with restrictions on advertisement, sale and distribution of tobacco products to minors and in the immediate vicinity of educational institutions, however, the implementation of laws under the ordinance has been insufficient. Moreover, due to introduction of the third-tier of taxes, the tax collection on cigarettes has declined from Rs111 billion in 2015-16 to Rs88 billion in 2017-18. Pakistan also became a signatory to WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in February 2005, under which it vowed to show political commitment to reduce tobacco consumption in the country, they added.