An oncologist at Nishtar Medical University (NMU) expressed serious concerns over the rising use of tobacco among children, women and adolescents in Pakistan.
"Around 1,000 children start smoking in Pakistan daily and 30% of them die from it prematurely, while around 15 percent are addicted to smoking," said NMU Head of Oncology Department and President Cancer Society Dr Ahmed Ijaz Masood. He was addressing a news conference in connection with ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on Wednesday.
During a survey a several years ago, it came to light that vendors outside a women's college used to mix tobacco in Golgappas, corn cob and other edibles, which made the students addicted. Some vendors were caught and punished by law enforcers, Dr Ijaz recalled.
In-charge Nishtar Cancer Centre stated that smoking in public was banned across the world, but remained in vogue in Pakistan. He added that legislation was passed in 2004, which authorised a grade 17 or above officer to award punishment to a smoker, but it could not be implemented. Around 3.5 million people die from smoking and this number is expected to go up to 10 million people annually.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2023.
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