Anti Smokers' Laws Go Unchecked

Despite existence of non-smokers' health ordinance, the residents of the federal capital are persistently violating the anti tobacco laws that deprive the right of citizens from taking breathe in fresh air.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2018 ) :Despite existence of non-smokers' health ordinance, the residents of the Federal capital are persistently violating the anti tobacco laws that deprive the right of citizens from taking breathe in fresh air. People residing/ working in the flats are the major victims of passive smoking as they are facing this hazard all the day.

With respect to outdoor areas, smoking is also prohibited in outdoor waiting areas for buses and trains, and public parks. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.

It should be courageous enough to ban smoking and penalize smokers who are hurting their family members and neighbors with their habit. A resident living in Park Tower of F-10 Markaz told APP.

Another office boy Sajjad working in a private office situated on 3rd floor of a plaza in Blue Area said, "When I come to the office through upstairs it was quite difficult for me to reach the office floor as whole gallery covered with cigarette smoke".

A house wife living in the Flats near G-11 Markaz said, "After staying all the day in flat, I cannot come outside for a while to get fresh air from the corridor as it was full of bad odor produced by the smoke".

A ban on smoking in public places should be enforced immediately because of the harmful nature of secondhand smoke, she added.

A Pediatric Physician Dr Arslan from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) warned the parents not to smoke while at home as it can increase their risk of death due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood.

Second hand smoking (SHS) is a proven risk factor for lung cancer, heart attack and several other diseases. According to the World Health Organization, SHS is estimated to cost more than 600,000 lives per year worldwide, he added.

When contacted, an official of health department said according to the law dealing with Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance, 2002 (Ordinance No. LXXIV of 2002), governs multiple areas of tobacco control, including restrictions on public smoking. Our department was carrying out their all efforts for the implementation.

"Everyone should take responsibility and become role models for the public by adhering to the laws themselves" he added.