ISLAMABAD, Jan 6: The military authorities have decided to ban smoking and its advertisement at government offices, public places and in public transport through a presidential ordinance by the end of this month.

Nawaz Sharif’s government had banned smoking at public places through a directive, but it could not be implemented due to legal constraints. It has, therefore, been decided to declare smoking at public places as cognizable offence.

Well placed sources in the ministry of health said, “Prohibition of smoking in enclosed places and protection of non- smokers ordinance, 2000” was ready and will be sent to Law Ministry for vetting next week.

“Government is committed to promulgate the ordinance as soon as possible to counter public smoking, a serious health hazard for the non-smokers”, an health official said.

The purpose of the ordinance is to protect the health of the people and eliminate the risk of passive smoking- equally dangerous as active smoking. He said it would ensure the right of non-smokers to a smoke free environment. “In view of the health hazards of tobacco smoking, legislation had become a necessity”.

Commenting on the salient features of the planned ordinance, he said, smoking would be prohibited in public transport, schools, hospitals, offices, work places.

According to the reports on hazards of smoking, 90 per cent cases of lung cancer, 75 per cent cases of bronchitis and 24 per cent of ischaemic heart disease are caused by smoking. Non- smokers are equally at risk due to involuntary inhaling of smoke emitted by smokers.

Under the ordinance no person shall advertise at any place and in any public service vehicle promoting smoking or sale of cigarettes, no person would be allowed to sell cigarettes or other smoking substance to anyone under 18 years of age, he added.

An area of 100 meters around any college, school or educational institute would be declared out of bounds to anyone who store, sell or distribute cigarettes or other related substances.

Owners, managers or incharge of such public places shall display boards of “no smoking zones” and “smoking is an offence” .

But, it is unclear what will be the mechanism to implement this ordinance in a country where not only cigarettes but drugs are bought and sold with the blessings of law enforcement agencies.