ISLAMABAD: Health activists on Monday urged the government to impose a health levy on tobacco products to safeguard the fundamental rights of children.

They were attending an event organised by the Society for Protection of Rights of the Child (Sparc) in connection with Universal Children Day.

Former Technical Head of Health Ministry’s Tobacco Control Cell Dr Ziauddin Islam appreciated the participation of children on the occasion. He mentioned that children were more affected by the exposure to tobacco as these products are inexpensive and easily available to them.

“According to statistics, 10.7pc of Pakistani youth, including 6.6pc girls and 13.3pc boys, consume tobacco products due to cheap prices of tobacco,” he said.

Member Board of Directors Sparc Khalida Ahmed mentioned that nearly half, 45pc of our population – is children under the age of 18 years.

“Child rights are recognised and protected under the global commitments made by Pakistan such as UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Tobacco is a pandemic which directly violates children’s right to life, survival and development, health, education, and access to clean and green public places,” she said.

Director of Punjab Group of Colleges Prof Mohammad Akram said that the day was dedicated to children and their rights which could not be taken away from them by anyone.

Sparc programme manager Khalil Ahmed Dogar mentioned that imposing the health levy was in the best interest of children and our nation.

“Under WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Pakistan has committed itself to implement pro-child measures to safeguard children from the harms of tobacco,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2022