World No Tobacco Day observed

Peshawar—Tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of death in the world while tobacco causes 90% of all lung cancers deaths worldwide and causes 20% of all other cancer deaths. This is the hazardous health situation caused by tobacco in the context of World No Tobacco Day being observed Thursday. Theme of this year World No Tobacco Day is ‘’Tobacco Industry Interference’’ the event focuses on the needs to expose and counter the tobacco industry’s brazen and increasingly aggressive attempts to undermine global tobacco control efforts.

According to Pakistan Health Survey 1999, tobacco kills 274 Pakistanis every day. Where as 5000 Pakistanis are admitted to hospitals every day because of Tobacco use. Similarly 1200 Pakistani children start smoking every day. WHO estimates discloses that Second Hand Smoking kills 600000 people world wide every year. Moreover the smoke from Shesha contains numerous toxicants that cause lung cancer, heart diseases. Likewise in typical one hour session of Shesha a smoker inhales 100-200 times the volume of smoke than by smoking a cigarette while by sharing a Shesha mouth piece there is serious risk of transmission of T.B and Hepatitis

In Pakistan Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance 2002 has been passed. In the light of the Section-5 of the ordinance designated smoking areas in Public places are illegal. Similarly Section-6 of the ordinance Prohibits smoking and other tobacco use in Public service vehicles. The ordinance also prohibits advertising of tobacco its sell person below the age of eighteen and storage and distribution of cigarettes within 50 meters of educational institution .The ordinance fixes finality for violation a fine ranging from Rs.1000 to Rs.100000 or three months imprisonment or both.

In order to facilitate enforcement of the law, the Tobacco Control Cell district has been carrying out activities including Orientation Session for the heads of educational institutions, Traders and transport Associations. Similarly Orientation Sessions for Police and Health Department were also arranged. The Peshawar Police has registered cases against 14 persons for violation of law in public places and public transport while the DCO has imposed section 144.