ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has issued a notification banning the sale of loose cigarettes across the country. Under the new rules, shopkeepers or individuals involved in selling loose cigarettes will be liable to arrest.

Civil society groups have urged the government to ensure the new rule is implemented, arguing that it will discourage young people from smoking.

The federal cabinet decided to ban the sale of loose cigarettes on March 6. Health experts and civil society have praised the move, which they had demanded for several years. They believe the rule will keep children from smoking by making cigarettes unaffordable for them.

The NHS ministry has been waiting for the decision in writing for two weeks, so that a notification could be issued.

According to the notification, which is dated March 22 and available with Dawn, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Ordinance 2002, the federal government has amended the rules, due to which “no retail seller or any person shall sell, offer for sale or distribute any cigarettes unless they are in a packet” of at least 20 cigarettes.

Federal cabinet decided on the ban earlier this month

The notification has been sent to the Printing Corporation of Pakistan to publish it in the Gazette of Pakistan.

A ministry official who was not authorised to speak on the record said that under section 8 of the law, the same of loose cigarettes is now a cognisable offence. The police can now arrest people involved in selling loose cigarettes.

He said the penalty for a first time violation is Rs5,000, and a second violation will be punishable by a Rs100,000 fine, three months in prison or both.

“Iran, Turkey, Nepal and some states in India – including Punjab and Himachal Pradesh – have banned the sale of loose cigarettes. Now, Pakistan has also become one of the countries in the region to have banned the sale of loose cigarettes,” he said.

According to article 16 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), countries should take measures to keep children safe from smoking, such as by banning the sale of small packs or loose cigarettes, the official said.

“In 2010, Pakistan banned the sale of small packets [containing 10 cigarettes], but the sale of loose cigarettes continued. As most children or students get Rs10 or 20 every day, they will not be able to purchase a whole packet of cigarettes,” he explained.

Mohammad Faisal, a representative of the NGO Fikr-i-Farda Pakistan, told Dawn that up to 80pc of smokers taking up smoking as students or during their early teenage years.

“At the time, the majority of them cannot afford to buy a full pack of cigarettes because they get just Rs10 or 20 as pocket money. So they buy one or two cigarettes, and finally become chain smokers. This decision will help to decrease the trend of smoking among teenagers,” he said.

However, Mr Faisal added that it had been observed that laws were made but were not implemented in letter and spirit. He urged the government to ensure that the law is implemented.

According to health experts, 75pc of lung diseases are caused by smoking. Over 6.9 million people have been affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Pakistan, and it is expected that it will be the third leading cause of death from chronic diseases worldwide by 2020.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2018