Awareness messages: NAB mulls placing labels on medicine, cigarette packs

ISLAMABAD: To create awareness among the general public, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched a “Say No to Corruption” campaign under which it proposes the printing of this message on packs of medicine and cigarettes.

In this context, a meeting was held on Wednesday. It was chaired National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Secretary Muhammad Ayub Sheikh.

NAB Awareness and Prevention Division Director General Aliya Rashid gave a detailed presentation on the proposal to attendees including officials from the Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations, DRAP, the heads of various tobacco companies, pharmaceutical companies, and Pakistan chemist and druggists association representatives.

She said a large number of Pakistanis are cigarette smokers. Therefore cigarette packs can be good way to spread the message “Say No to Corruption”.

She also mentioned other steps taken by NAB, such as printing “Say No to Corruption” on postage stamps, utility bills, ATMs, postal envelope, and railway tickets. She also mentioned the story book “Gogi Says No to Corruption” and a colouring book for primary-level children.

In the end, Secretary NHSRC constituted two different committees
to discuss display of “Say No to Corruption” messages on medicine and cigarette packs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2016.