Islamabad - Although Pakistan has ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control yet smoking trend is increasing among the new generation of the country and particularly schoolchildren are becoming addict of this menace.
According to an estimate, approximately 1,000 to 1,200 teenage students are taking to smoking on a daily basis. Talking to The Nation on this issue, media coordinator of Islamabad Bar Association Khalid Chaudhary Advocate said that that there should be a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship because it causes fatal health hazards in human beings.
He added that this step alone could decrease the consumption of tobacco by 7 per cent provided all other tobacco control measures are kept constant.
It may be appropriate to mention that a recent study by Pakistan Paediatrics Association says, “Smoking is becoming fast popular even amongst schoolchildren in Pakistan. In fact, statistics show approximately 1,000 to 1,200 teenage students are taking to smoking on a daily basis.”
In this regard, World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that there should be a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
This ban has been imposed by the government but MNC’s constantly find new ways to advertise themselves. Current methods include on spot advertisement/posters in shops and distribution of samples in popular public areas/outdoor restaurants of the cities amongst the youth.
On the other hand, sources told that Phillip Morris International (PMI) is reportedly lobbying in the FBR and government circles to create a new, 3rd slab of taxes to make the cigarettes cheaper in Pakistan.
This would create serious health hazards and further popularize the fast growing trend of smoking, particularly amongst the schoolchildren. According to the WHO, smoking has already increased by 30 per cent in Pakistan as compared to figures in 1998.
Another important thing is that Pakistan has already ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, while the country is obligated to stop further spread of smoking particularly amongst the young school children. In view of the above facts, the cigarettes need to be made prohibitively expensive in Pakistan, and not cheaper at all.