Govt urged to implement ordinance on smoking

He vowed to launch a massive campaign in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Youth Affairs to inform public specially the youngsters who are most vulnerable about the dangerous impact smoking and using other tobacco products.

He urged to accelerated efforts for proper implementation of the ordinance. While responding to a point raised by a young participant regarding use of sheesha as a fast emerging trend among youngster and smoking a single sheesha is equal to taking fourteen cigarette. Shaheen Masood Director General Implementation, Tobacco Control cell said efforts are being made to include sheesha in Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non smokers ordinance 2002.

She admits that there are some weaknesses in the ordinance, as it does not cover sheesha as a tobacco product.

The target of the Tobacco industry in Pakistan is youth and every day in Pakistan 1200 youngster starts smoking and each year.