Maryam vows stricter enforcement of smoking ban

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the provincial government is taking steps to ensure the smoking ban is enforced in educational institutions, as she reiterated the administration’s anti-tobacco stance on World No Tobacco Day.

In her message issued on the occasion, the chief minister said smoking in government offices, transport and other public places is a punishable offence, adding that the law would be implemented strictly. She also said the government would take all possible measures to discourage smoking and vaping among young people.

Maryam said creating awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco was not only the responsibility of the government but also a broader social duty.

Separately, General Cadre Doctors Association President Dr Masood Sheikh said at a workshop that around 80 per cent of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries. World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31.

Newly released data shows that at least 40 million children aged 13 to 15 worldwide currently use at least one tobacco product. Of them, 20 million smoke cigarettes, while 10 million use smokeless tobacco.

Dr Masood said the use of e-cigarettes can lead to increased uptake of conventional cigarettes, especially among youth who do not already smoke. Dr Asad Abbas Shah said every form of tobacco consumption is harmful and that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco.

Dr Javaid Mumtaz said tobacco use also carries economic costs, including spending on the treatment of tobacco-related diseases and the loss of human capital due to illness and deaths linked to tobacco.