KARACHI:
Many teenagers today see smoking as a fashionable trend, which is why one can commonly find youngsters smoking in public places and spaces. Social media and pop culture have normalised smoking and substance abuse through positive portrayals and advertisements. Often teenagers pick on the habits of their favourite celebrities or television characters without realising their negative consequences.
However, smoking can cause serious health issues including mouth cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues. The World Health Organisation has continuously advertised the dangers and diseases associated with smoking. Anti-smoking awareness campaigns are also prevalent in many parts of the world including Pakistan. Pakistan’s health authorities have taken some steps to restrict the use of tobacco. Tobacco advertisements are banned, and cigarette packets have pictorial health warnings on them to discourage people from smoking.
Yet nearly 22 million Pakistanis smoke tobacco. Other smokeless forms of tobacco, such as paan, gutka and naswar are also popular. Children as young as 12 can be seen smoking or consuming other forms of tobacco. The relevant authorities to crack down on the illicit trade and manufacturing of tobacco as well as intensify efforts to raise awareness about the health risks of tobacco consumption.
Iqrar Hussain
Naushahro Feroze
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2023.
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