Implement Smoking Ban: Chief secy letter sent to govt offices

LAHORE: The chief secretary, in a letter, directed all civil and police officials to ensure the implementation of the ban on smoking. The letter was sent around after several complaints were received about violation of the ban at public places as well as government and private offices. The Ministry of Health banned smoking at public places – including restaurants, airport lounges, buses, railway stations, government and private offices, clubs, stadiums, all educational institutes, hospitals and dispensaries –in 2009. The penalty for violation was a fine of up to Rs100, 000 or three months’ imprisonment.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2012.