Tobacco Control Cell, Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) organized one-day Consultative Meeting on “Enforcement of Tobacco Control Laws” at a local hotel in Islamabad. The objectives of Meeting was to create awareness among different segment of society, particularly with regard to important sections of 2002 Ordinance and to invite ideas on how law can effectively be enforced across the country.
The inaugural session of Consultative Meeting was presided by Yusuf Khan, Director General Implementation, Tobacco Control Cell, where as the meeting was moderated by Ms. Madiha Khalid, Assistant Director General, Tobacco Control Cell, Ministry of Health.
Dr. Matiur Rahman, Assistant Professor Medicine (Chest), Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad gave presentation on the topic “Tobacco Related Health Hazards”. He mentioned significant burden of Tobacco use in all South Asia (~ 182 M smokers). He informed the participant that around 50% of men smokes in Pakistan, majority of them are from the lower income group. Smoking is a major cause of poverty for economic and health reasons at household as well as national level.
He mentioned that all tobacco products (Cigars, pipes, biddies, chewing tobacco, dipping, snuff, naswar etc) are equally harmful and a single smoking session exposes to 2.25 mg nicotine, high levels of arsenic, cobalt, chromium, and lead.
Dr. Matiur Rahman derived attention of participant toward the rising oral cancer rates in Pakistan (Karachi), which is the highest in the world, and 90% of these can be attributed to tobacco use. Proportion of Tobacco-related cancers (TRCs) varies from 35 to 50 per cent of all cancers in males; and up to 17 per cent of all cancers among females.
Yusuf Khan, DG Implementation (FCTC), Tobaco Control Cell, Ministry of Health spoke on “Implementation on Tobacco Contol Laws”. He described the current situation of tobacco use in country and glimpsed the hazardous affects of tobacco products and tobacco related diseases.
He further mentioned that Enforcement is not merely the domain of the law enforcement agencies, particularly in the case of the Tobacco Control Laws. For instance, under the “Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non Smokers” Health Ordinance 2002, certain categories of persons have been declared authorized persons or persons authorized to eject violators from the premises or file complaints in writing before first class magistrates in case of reporting such violations of the laws.
Mr. Laeeq Hassan Jaswal, Assistant Professor/ Deputy Chief Proctor, Comsats Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad proposed the development of “Smoke Free policy for Educational Institutions”, he recommend the awareness of faculty, staff and students regarding Tobacco Control Laws by conducting seminars, dissemination of information materials/ add brochure in prospectus, orientation sessions on tobacco control at the time of admission, orientation sessions by Government/Renowned persons at least twice a year (Notification by FDE and Report to FDE on these sessions), Cartoons on hazards of tobacco use and laws (may be by using computer). He also explained the importance of Teachers, who actually act as Role Model, involvement of Parent –Teacher Association, organizing “No tobacco day” in Educational Institutions, Bazm-e-Adab / Tutorial / Walks, Tobacco Free Sports and debates competitions, Inclusion tobacco control in community work, Grading / Recognition of non-smokers, No smoking boards in and outside of the campus and initiating Smoke free homes campaign through students.
Ms. Anum Mughal, Research Assistant (ECI) told the participants that there are Children of school going age, but due to some reason don’t go to school. These children are into wrong habits including tobacco consumption. When such children interact with their school going age mates, may adopt these bad habits. So awareness needs to be created not only in educational institutions but in non-school going children as well.
She stressed on research on smoke-less tobacco products, she said the West has done a lot of research on tobacco, but not much on smokeless tobacco products because this is the culture of east. She also suggested that signs specifying that “Smoking is prohibited” should be displayed inside and outside the building of the institution.
Shahzad Alam Khan, National Program Officer, Tobacco Control, WHO, Pakistan in his address encouraged the activities of Tobacco Control Cell and efforts of DG – Implementation on the legal notice to a leading cigarette manufacturing company for allegedly breaking the law by providing free gifts and cigarettes on low prices.
Earlier, consultative meeting ended with vote of Thanks to all participants.