ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed concerns over a video clip which went viral on social media showing Pakistani cricketers allegedly enjoying Sheesha at a café in the United Kingdom.

The representative body of doctors said cricket players were heroes of the nation so they should avoid things which were harmful.

In a statement, it claimed that PMA had been raising its voice to create public awareness that the use of tobacco in any form was hazardous for health. Sheesha is more dangerous than cigarette, it said.

Says cricket players are considered heroes and should avoid indulging in such practices

“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), smoking Sheesha for an hour mean you smoked 200 cigarettes. Sheesha contains 40pc tobacco and 60pc flavour to attract the consumers,” it stated.

PMA Secretary General Dr Qaisar Sajjad told Dawn that he was surprised to see the cricketers enjoying in a café till late night.

“We preach that everybody should sleep early and have eight hours daily sleep because it improves your immunity. Cricket players are heroes of our nation and people usually follow them. They should not involve themselves in such activities that can promote unhealthy norms in society. These examples can also mislead the youth,” he said.

The statement said a study carried out by the ministry of health had showed that 166,000 people die every year in Pakistan due to the use of tobacco.

Tobacco causes preventable diseases like bronchitis, coronary diseases, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, lung cancer, oral cancer etc.

“By reducing the consumption of tobacco, we can prevent these diseases.”

A representative of Pakistan National Heart Association, Malik Imran, said cricketers seen at a Sheesha centre in UK should apologise to the nation.

“Those players are a role model for the nation, especially youth, so they should be careful. Recently, the federal cabinet approved a health levy on cigarettes and fizzy drinks but it could not be included in the budget,” he said.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is an anti-tobacco advocate and has struggled against tobacco, should intervene and make it sure that the health levy is imposed to protect the youth from the hazards of tobacco.

“Some elements who were influenced by the tobacco industry created an impression that if the health levy was included the illicit trade of cigarettes would be increased, which is not correct,” he added.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2019