Pakistan: City Admin Starts Anti-tobacco Drive

Source from:  The Nation  12/07/2012

The ICT Administration as part of its efforts to make the capital a model city in connection with the implementation of tobacco control laws here on Thursday launched a joint anti-tobacco campaign and people would be sensitised about the implementation of anti- tobacco laws as part of the first phase of the drive. 

Arrangements for the drive were reviewed at a meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amer Ali Ahmed and which was attended by the representatives of Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industries, officials of Tobacco Control Cell, WHO, district health department, police and other officials of Administration.  A spokesman of the local administration said Deputy Commissioner announced the constitution of six teams headed by the assistant commissioners for carrying out anti-tobacco drive in their areas.

The committees would also include officials of police, health and tobacco control cell. DC, Islamabad said that first phase of drive would focus on creating awareness about the anti-smoking laws in the peoples and meetings would be held with the representatives of tobacco companies, trades community asking them for ensuring compliance of anti-smoking laws. The Tobacco Control Cell would affix posters at the public places and hospitals.
Second phase of drive would be started from January 1, 2013, which include strict enforcement of tobacco control laws with fines and penalties for violations.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of anti- sheesha smoking measures in the city and DC informed the participants that the administration had successfully eliminated the menace of sheesha smoking while implementing the relevant laws strictly in the city

Meanwhile, the Islamabad Administration has also asked the people to avoid smoking at public places including hospitals, markets, bus stops, offices, restaurants and hotels and to cooperate with the administration in the implementation of anti-smoking in the city.

The administration has also asked the shopkeepers not to sell cigarettes to the youth under 18 years old and the people should discourage smoking at public places. Enditem