The Lahore High Court has sought a report from the home secretary and inspector general of police on a writ petition seeking implementation of the anti-smoking law.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who was hearing a petition saying that the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance 2002 was neither effective nor properly implemented, ordered on Thursday that respondents file their replies by March 13.
The Lahore High Court also demanded action against cafes and restaurants that continue to serve shisha in the city. The judge also allowed restaurant and café associations to become a party in the case.
The petition was filed by the Society of Alternative Media and Research (SAMAR) through its coordinator Khurram Hashmi.
The group submitted that they were working on restricting the ever-increasing use of shisha, especially among the youth. Hashmi added that the use of tobacco and smoking were harmful addictions, that cause a wide variety of diseases, including cancer, and can even result in death.The petitioner submitted that the vast majority of tobacco users and smokers were hooked when they were children and that shisha, as the latest trend in smoking, was gaining popularity among young men and women.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2012.
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