THIS is apropos your editoiral ‘Ban on loose cigarettes’ (March 9). There is an age-old maxim: “Never give an order that the one giving order cannot ensure its compliance”.

You editorial only comments on the ban which, of course, cannot be implemented. You do not have the vaguest idea how rich tobacco companies are. The cigarettes are not banned because of the colossal revenue the industry gives. You cannot imagine what the tobacco companies are doing to the lungs of the poor — the main smokers of low quality cigarettes.

They are fodder for lung and cancer hospitals. Close down these tobacco manufacturers and you will reduce fodder for these hospitals by 90pc.

As far as loose cigarettes are concerned, probably even adults don’t buy these. Tell me now you can stop children of any age and income from smoking whether buying them loose or in packets.

How does the ban on selling loose cigarettes help in any way?

Lt-Cdr (r) Rashid Ghaznavi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2018