ISLAMABAD, July 8: The education ministry on Tuesday endorsed the notification issued by the health ministry on implementation of the anti-smoking ordinance.

An official announcement issued here on Tuesday stated that the education ministry, in a letter to the health ministry, has endorsed the notification of the ordinance on “Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002”.

The government enforced the ordinance on July 1, under which smoking will be banned at public places and transport vehicles like buses, wagons, trains, planes, offices, schools, dispensaries, hospitals, gymnasiums, lounges, waiting rooms at airports, railway stations and bus/wagon stops.

Besides, the law restricts the sale of cigarettes to the youth below the age of 18 years, and declares storage and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco related products within 50 meters of schools, colleges and other teaching institutions as an offence.