by Waqar Ali Shah 

Islamabad-27 May, 2019: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) organized a knowledge & fact sharing session regarding effects of tobacco on health.

Mr. Babar bin Atta, Prime Minister’s focal person for polio eradication and tobacco control said Pakistan is one of the fifteen countries worldwide with the heavy burden of tobacco related ill health issues. Around 1000 to 1200 Pakistani children between ages of 6-15 years start smoking every day according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) results of 2015.  Pakistan’s population consists of 60% youth below the age of 25 where alarming statistics of young people getting addicted and at risk of tobacco consumption calls for strict tax reforms and checks for selling cigarettes to the minors particularly. The worrisome aspect is the healthcare burden, which is 143 billion compared to revenue generation, which only stands at 83 billion currently, leading to loss to federal exchequer. 

Sajjad Ahmad Cheema Executive Director, SPARC said cultural and social habits fascinating minors. Tobacco companies are targeting the markets of minors and women to expand their future markets by expanding business. He added the smoking habits of youngsters; growing habits of smoking in younger is the initial step to get attracted for drugs. He highlighted the crucial role of anti-smoking campaign reducing the health risks in schools and colleges. We have been working with government and civil society to increase the taxes on tobacco products to condemn the smoking habits in youngsters. There are laws to control tobacco sales for minors to promote the healthy lifestyles. Reduce smoking result in better health and decrease the cost government on health e.g. He further talked about that companies promoting e-cigarettes are less harmful as compared to traditional smoking is equally harmful and destructive for human body and society.  The role of advocacy is necessary to mobile masses against the tobacco harm. 

Speaking on the occasion, Colonel (R) Azhar Saleem – CEO HDF shared the “Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance, 2002” which includes measures to stop people from smoking on public, ban on access to tobacco products near educational institutes and restriction on sale of cigarettes to those who are under 18. But, he added, it has been reported that no complaint has been registered against the violators under this law. In 2010, Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) was seen as a major stride forward in dissuading youth from tobacco use as it death with the manufacturers and retailers.

Ch. Sana Ullah Ghuman, General Secretary, Pakistan Heart Association (PANAH) said the passive smoking is deemed equally dangerous for youth and minors. Worldwide, it is estimated 40 % children up to the age of 14 are exposed to passive smoking, which cause 600,000 death across the globe. Passive smoking silent feature has been associated with upper and lower respiratory tract infections and bronchial asthma in children leading to serious lungs diseases e.g. Tuberculosis. The health risks are widely known but still the use of Tobacco is common throughout the world, especially in the developing countries like Pakistan. While Tobacco products sales to minor are banned in Pakistan. According to WHO's report on the Global Health Epidemic, 2017 Pakistan's country profile remains lacking on Cessation Programmes, Health Warnings, Advertising Bans and Taxation.

Dr. Ziauddin Islam, tobacco control cell said that the volume of illicit trade is very low as claimed by the tobacco industry and the data presented to the government by the industry is also challengeable. He informed the participants about the finding of the FFO study; i.e. 15.95% of the cigarettes per day consumed in Islamabad, classified as illicit. These cigarette brands failed to comply with the six-factor criteria i.e. pictorial health warnings, textual health warning, low price, age warning, manufacturer details and printing of retail price. Out of 15.95%, only 10.74% of cigarettes were illicit as smuggled and 5.2% cigarettes were illicit as low priced or duty not paid (DNP). These DNP cigarettes met all the criteria of legitimate brands but selling on low price (PKR 25-40), which labeled these as illicit cigarettes.

Mr. Asmat Ullah Niazi, senior journalist also spoke on the occasion.

END