Banning it is not the answer and the assembly’s resolution infringes on the fundamental rights of adults.
KARACHI: I strongly disagree with a resolution passed recently in the Sindh Assembly calling for a ban on the smoking of shisha. Yes, it is as dangerous for one’s health as any tobacco product and no, the water does not filter out all the harmful chemicals.
That being said, banning it is not the answer and the assembly’s resolution infringes on the fundamental rights of adults to be able to choose whether or not they want to partake of this activity. In any case, what about the law that bans smoking in public? It isn’t enforced at all and, perhaps, the Sindh government should devote its energies to first to doing that. Also, the ban on ghutka should be enforced. And why not also ban cigarettes and cigars?
Dr Salim Hosein
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2011.
