‘Up to 14 kids take up smoking every day’

Seminar urges educational institutions to restrain children from smoking

MULTAN: Around 12 to 14 kids take up smoking every day in Pakistan. Therefore, it is necessary to educate them about the harmful effects of smoking, said the Children Hospital Multan Head Dr Mukhtar Bhatti.

He was speaking at a seminar on “Smoke-free hospitals in Pakistan” on Saturday.

Meanwhile, CM’s Adviser to Health Hanif Khan Patafi said that the government will adopt measures to eliminate smoking from hospitals and schools in the country.

Also, Nishtar Medical University Vice Chancellor Dr Mustafa Pasha said there is a need to make Pakistan a safe place for future generations. “The reason for involving medical institutions is to urge them to creating awareness among the youth about the health hazards of smoking.”

Health experts highlight ‘costs’ of smoking

Rahim Yar Khan Medical College Principal Dr Zafar Tanveer said that the administrations of educational institutions can make effective use of their authority by discouraging students from smoking.

Pakistan Paediatrics Association General Secretary Dr Mumtaz Lakhani said that almost 28% of children die due to their exposure to secondhand smoke.

‘Smoking kills thousands in Pakistan annually’

Talking about the hazards of secondhand smoke, Pakistan Medical Association President Dr Maqsood Heraj said it causes respiratory infections and leads to the deaths of thousands of children under the age of five. “Around 700 million children in the world are exposed to a polluted environment caused by secondhand smoke,” he added. Dr Heraj said it was important to take an initiative to make schools, colleges and hospitals smoke free for children. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2019.