The rising use of tobacco products and sugary sodas amongst young girls has set off alarm bells for a minister of state who warned that such habits can enhance the risk of cancer.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul on Thursday while addressing a symposium on the role of women in preventing heart diseases amongst their family by ensuring a healthy diet at home. The symposium had been organised by the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH).
Gul said the growing trend of smoking and consuming sugary drinks amongst girls, especially those at the younger spectrum, was worrisome.
"We have to stop using these unnecessary items,” she said, adding that October is celebrated the world over as a cancer awareness month.
The use of sugary drinks increases the risk of cancer by 18 per cent and heart attack by 42 per cent, she said.
"We are also working to control tobacco but the role of women was very important to control this. It is the utmost duty of women to control tobacco use around them," she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2020.
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