ISLAMABAD: The Senate Subcommittee on National Health Services has finalised The Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health (Amendment) Bill 2016 though most of the recommendations in the bill have been omitted.

The committee chairman, Nauman Wazir, who belongs to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, said the decision was taken in the interests of the people.

Head of The Network for Consumer Protection Nadeem Iqbal, who assisted in the drafting of the bill, said the committee report has only taken the tobacco industry’s point of view and that all the exercise was a waste of money from the exchequer.

Report takes tobacco industry’s point of view, exercise was waste of exchequer money, NGO head

The bill was tabled by PML-Q Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and called for a ban on tobacco advertisement. It said tobacco retailers should not be allowed to advertise tobacco products inside shops so that younger people are not tempted by them.

The bill suggested that tobacco companies should not be allowed to sponsor events such as health camps, plantation campaigns and sports events as part of their corporate social responsibility and that such companies should not have the right to contact consumers.

According to the subcommittee’s meeting minutes, available with Dawn, members said prohibition of tobacco advertisements was already defined and a further ban on interior display will deprive retailers of dealing in tobacco products and of their right to conduct legitimate business.

It was discussed that the display of tobacco products in shops does not always mean advertisement and that it may also hamper consumer right of choice if tobacco is not displayed.

The bill has also allowed tobacco companies to continue with their corporate social responsibility events.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Iqbal said the committee did not consider the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organisation, which puts a stop to these activities.

“The committee has wasted tax payer’s money with this faulty exercise,” he said.

However, Senator Wazir said that engaging in corporate social responsibility activities was a requirement of the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.

“Tobacco companies are distributing solar systems in the rural areas, among other things, and should not be banned from doing so,” he said.

He said that vendors will not be allowed to advertise tobacco products outside their shops but can advertise within. Tobacco companies cannot contact consumers for the promotion of their products but can contact them for surveys.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2016