PESHAWAR, Nov 1: Provincial Chief Secretary Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi has directed all administrative secretaries to initiate effective steps to implement the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002.

He also ordered them to submit a report about its implementation within a fortnight.

According to a handout, the chief secretary was presiding over a meeting of the secretaries’ committee, which was held to chalk out a strategy to implement anti-smoking laws.

Highlighting the ill effects of smoking, he called for initiating a public awareness campaign, especially targeting the youths to protect them from its hazardous effects.

Mr Qureshi also directed officials to prominently display boards announcing the ban on smoking and cigarette sale in the vicinity of government offices and public places. The meeting gave approval for the setting up provincial and district level vigilance and implementation committees. The chief secretary also advised the officials that all universities should constitute their own anti-smoking committees and to prominently display signs prohibiting smoking.

The information department was also directed to chalk out an effective anti-smoking mass awareness campaign.