Islamabad - Submitting progress report regarding the implementation of tobacco control laws, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has informed the Supreme Court on Saturday that ICT administration conducted 108 raids and collected fine amounting to 9,40,735, action against 21 hotels was taken and 17 persons from management of hotels/ restaurants were taken into custody for violation of various sections of tobacco control laws since January 2014.
Deputy Attorney General Sohail Mahmood submitted the report on behalf of ICT administration, wherein it is told that first time in Pakistan, 50,000 persons were fined for violating section 7, 8 and 10 of Ordinance 2002. Regarding strict enforcement of tobacco control laws in ICT, the report said the enforcement plan was approved by ICT administration. It said that as per government’s announcement Islamabad would be made “Tabacco Smoke Free City”
“To make Islamabad tobacco smoke free, plan was devised in three phases, to create awareness among masses, orientation and training sessions on tobacco control laws and hazards of tobacco use with law enforcers and authorised officers and strict enforcement of tobacco control laws by conducting raids,” the report said. The reports said that in 2013, six ACs of ICT conducted 81 raids, 71 cafeterias, restaurants and snooker clubs were raided and fined as part of efforts to control indoor and underage smoking.
A total of Rs2,17,000 fine was collected from these establishments. Majority of these cafes and restaurants were located in posh sectors of the capital and were charged for violating the ban on indoor smoking and sale of tobacco products to people aged under 18. About the training sessions on tobacco control laws for law enforcers, the report said that ICT administration conducted 55 orientation sessions for authorised persons from district departments, adding more than 952 authorised persons from different departments were trained on the implementation of tobacco control laws.

Likewise, the report said that letters have also been written to educational institutions and Ulema to create awareness among masses.
It said that 20 live programmes were aired on tobacco control at the Islamabad Traffic Police Radio FM92.
“More than 60,000 stickers were pasted at hotels, offices, public transport vehicles and other public places for indoor signage,” the report added.