Pakistan: Tobacco Control Advocates Laud PM''s Decision to Quit Smoking

Source from:  The News International 12/10/2012

TheNetwork for Consumer Protection has dispatched a letter of congratulations to Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf over his decision to support the tobacco control movement.

The greetings came after his decision to quit smoking and his reported pledge to become a proactive advocate of tobacco control in Pakistan.

In a letter sent to the premier, TheNetwork has pointed out that his commitment and support for the tobacco control movement will set a milestone in Pakistan. However, the organisation has also deplored the government's failure to rotate the pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs, which was due in December 2011. The organisation has also urged a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising including point of sale advertising and sponsorship.

The executive coordinator of TheNetwork Nadeem Iqbal has further appealed the PM to fulfil the unfulfilled international commitments of the government of Pakistan and to direct the relevant authorities to enforce tobacco control laws in letter and spirit. Pakistan already accounts for more than 100,000 tobacco-related deaths every year and more than 1,200 children start smoking every day as a result of aggressive marketing of tobacco products.

Tobacco Control Advocates in Pakistan have a reason to rejoice as the Prime Minister have not only quit smoking but also initiated a campaign against it. For the first step, the ashtrays from bedroom and office have been removed, according to The News on Wednesday 05, 2012. The President of Pakistan, who himself is not a keen smoker, has also appreciated his decision and said that he would also quit smoking.

Meanwhile, the national coordinator of the Coalition for Tobacco Control Khurram Hashmi responded to the step by saying that "tobacco control advocates have been encouraged by the PM's initiative, are hoping that he would take necessary actions regarding effective implementation of tobacco control policies and laws, and take measures to revive the erstwhile status of the Tobacco Control Cell, which has been turned into a toothless entity ever since devolution." Enditem