Tobacco consumption: Why can’t I smoke here?

Most Islamabad residents unaware of anti-smoking regulations


Asma Ghani September 18, 2016

ISLAMABAD: Though Islamabad has been declared a tobacco-smoke free city and has relatively high literacy levels, over two-thirds of residents who answered a survey knew nothing about tobacco control laws.

In order to gauge the level of awareness of residents regarding the effects of smoking on smokers and non-smokers and pertaining laws, the International Research Force (IRF), an Islamabad-based firm, conducted a survey of respondents through computer assisted telephonic interviewing (CATI). Through random digital dialling, around 500 respondents from a different stratum of society were interviewed.

According to the survey, though 69 per cent of the respondents were aware of the harmful effects of smoking, a majority of them were unaware of the anti-smoking laws.

Some 68 per cent of the respondents expressed ignorance when asked if anti-smoking laws existed in Pakistan.

Only 18 per cent said they knew there were some laws, while only 2.2 per cent were aware that smoking was not allowed in public places, and flouting the law could be penalised. Of all the respondents, only 0.2 per cent --- one respondent --- knew that the sale of tobacco products was not allowed within a 200-metre radius of educational institutions.

According to the survey findings, a majority of — 89 per cent — supported the imposition of fine on smokers found lighting up in public places.

When asked if anyone smoke around them, about 56 per cent responded “yes” while 44 per cent said “no”.

A majority of respondents were also aware of the hazards of hookah and sheesha, while 14 individuals believed that they are tobacco-free products

The Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002 forbids smoking in public and workplaces and tobacco advertisements and proposes fines ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs100,000 on violators.

In the case of the selling tobacco products to underage children or near educational institutions, the law proposes a Rs5,000 fine for the first violation, and up to Rs100,000, three months imprisonment, or both, in the case of a second violation.

Since 2002, various amendments have been made in the law in terms of health warnings, advertisements, and packaging.

IRF Managing Director Dr Hana Mahmood said that although laws existed with well laid down rules, it was their implementation which needed to be evaluated. “Additionally, awareness of these laws needs to be created among the masses through various platforms including the media to reduce the deaths and illnesses associated with smoking.

In Pakistan, 23.9 million adults (19 per cent of the adult population) use tobacco products and about 1,200 new smokers are added every day, according to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination.

As many as, 110,000 people die annually in Pakistan due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other tobacco-related ailments, according to the World Health Organisation.

Some campaigners believe it was an enforcement issue and the authorities need to enforce the laws. “The enforcement of laws will automatically create awareness,” said The Network for Consumer Protection Chief Executive Officer Nadeem Iqbal.

“Although the Islamabad district administration is quite active about the enforcement, its violation is persistent,” he said, adding that all main public offices including the parliament house, offices of the apex and lower courts and other offices “are not smoke-free”.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2016.

COMMENTS (3)

Asma | 7 years ago | Reply Good idea.
Atheist_Pakistani | 7 years ago | Reply Pakistan has bigger issues then tobacco consumption
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