Experts call for smoke-free public places

Strict measures must be taken to implement laws banning smoking indoors at all public places, stated members of the National Alliance for Tobacco Control (NATC) at a meeting held at Aga Khan University (AKU).

Dr Javaid Khan, Chairman of NATC, Pakistan, said that the government’s recent announcement to allow designated smoking areas in restaurants, hotels and other public places is going to weaken the implementation of the ordinance. He said that the most important step the government can take to control the tobacco epidemic is to ensure that all public places are completely smoke-free indoors as this would be in line with the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance, 2002.

Dr Khan regretted that the tobacco industry in Pakistan has been given a free hand to promote their products. He appealed to NGOs working in the health sector to step forward and educate society about the hazards of tobacco use. “Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the country. Implementation of clean air laws have been shown to decrease deaths associated with tobacco use in the developed world. Such laws should be strictly implemented in Pakistan also,” said Dr Khan.

He added that tobacco is a major risk factor for lung cancer, heart attack, strokes and other fatal diseases. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, 5.4 million people died last year because of tobacco. This number is expected to rise to 10 million per year by the year 2025, unless preventive measures are taken.

Shahzad Alam, representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Pakistan, expressed concern over the tobacco industry’s attempts to change existing anti-tobacco laws in the country, which prohibit smoking in all indoor public places. He said that WHO, along with the Pakistan Chest Society, the American Cancer Society and other organisations have already recommended to the government that all indoor public places be smoke-free. He criticised the government’s announcement to allow designated smoking areas in public places.

Dr Syed Ahmar Hamid, Secretary-General of the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association, underscored the importance of media campaigns against tobacco.

Noor Ali, a survivor of head and neck cancer, highlighted the need for a rehabilitation centre for cancer patients in Pakistan.

NATC members unanimously passed a resolution to request the government to maintain existing anti-tobacco laws and to take appropriate steps for the implementation of tobacco control laws in the country, including increased taxes on tobacco products, a total ban on smoking in all indoor public places and pictorial health warnings on cigarettes packets.