Illicit cigarettes, hookahs destroyed
Health ministry writes letters to all federal secretaries, provincial chief secretaries. PHOTO: REUTERS
Islamabad Excise and Taxation department destroyed over 500,000 illicit cigarettes and 600 hookahs during a ceremony held in connection with World No Tobacco Day on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, Excise and Taxation Director Bilal Ahmed, Additional Deputy Commissioner East Shehryar Arif and officers of Islamabad Capital Territory administration and Ministry of National Health Services Regulation were present during the ceremony. DC Islamabad vowed to make the federal capital a smoke-free city.
He said some 537 public places including hotels, high-rise buildings and parks in Islamabad had been declared smoke-free zones. He said to implement the Tobacco Vendor Act in letter and spirit, a vigorous campaign is underway which binds retailers to get licenses.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2022.