ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar on Friday said the government had decided to further ban cigarette advertisements on cable television or close circuit television networks, on clothes or garments including caps, kiosks, hoardings and mobile trolleys.

The advertisement has already been banned on print and electronic media.

Addressing a press conference held in connection with world no tobacco day (WNTD), Ms Tarar said that Technical Working Group on Tobacco Taxation would be formed and signage (plastic plates carrying tobacco control messages) would be displayed in all ministries.

“The federal government will coordinate with provincial governments to ensure enforcement of tobacco control laws especially ban on sale of cigarettes and other smoking substance to minors.

Rotation of pictorial health warning on cigarette packs will be ensured,” she said.The minister claimed that Tobacco Control Board had been working well and it introduced Pictorial Health Warning on cigarette packs.

“Pakistan was among first 28 countries who introduced pictorial warnings on cigarette packs and banned on free samples, cash rebates, discounts and sponsorship of events. Work places were declared completely smoke-free zones,” she said.

Protest at NPC

A number of citizens, on the eve of the WNTD, gathered out side the national press club and demanded to raise taxes on tobacco.

The protest was organised by TheNetwork for Consumer Protection, a non-governmental organisation.

Addressing on the occasion, Nadeem Iqbal, the executive coordinator of TheNetwork, said a uniform specific tax that accounts for 70 per cent of average cigarette price could reduce cigarette consumption by 7.5 per cent and increase tax revenues by Rs27.2 billion.

Medical Physician Dr Naureen talking to mediapersons said if preventive measures were not taken, tobacco use can turn into a national epidemic. At present Pakistan is among top Asian countries in consumption of tobacco, she said.

“WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 2004, of which Pakistan is a signatory, also demands taxes be raised and prices of tobacco products be increased aimed at discouraging tobacco consumption,” she said.

Published in Dawn, May 31th, 2014