June 24, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 23,1424

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ISLAMABAD, June 23: Laws relating to ban on smoking at public places, advertisements and promotion of tobacco products are likely to be implemented from July 1, an official source told Dawn.

The government has recently promulgated two ordinances: prohibition of smoking and protection of non-smokers health ordinance 2003, and cigarettes (printing of warning) (amendment) ordinance 2002.

These ordinances were to be implemented from May 31 on the occasion of international no-smoking day. Later, Health minister Mohammad Nasir Khan, speaking at a press conference, said the ordinances would be implemented on June 15.

Now, the government has decided to implement these laws in the first week of July. The reason being cited for the delay was that the government wanted to implement the laws throughout the country, and since the provinces had not done necessary homework, therefore, the date had been extended.

The prohibition of smoking law, which was promulgated on October 15, 2002, prohibits smoking in public places like offices, hospitals, educational institutions and public transport vehicles. It also prohibits sale of cigarette to minors and within 50 meters of educational institutions.