PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has been urged to swiftly enact the eagerly awaited “KP Prohibition of Tobacco and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Bill” by the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco Control. The bill has been pending since the Law Department reviewed it in 2016.

This crucial piece of legislation aims to protect public health by ensuring smoke-free public spaces and shielding non-smokers from the dangerous effects of passive smoking. Tobacco use remains a leading cause of death and disease in Pakistan, claiming over 163,600 lives annually. Of these, nearly 31,000 deaths are due to exposure to secondhand smoke alone. Shockingly, tobacco use accounts for 16.0 per cent of all male deaths and 4.9 per cent of female deaths, contributing to 10.9 per cent of all deaths nationwide.

These figures paint a sobering picture of the impact of tobacco on country’s public health, underscoring the urgency of strong tobacco control measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The alliance believes that passing this legislation on smoke-free public spaces is a critical step in protecting the population from preventable harm. Tobacco-free environments not only reduce the health risks associated with smoking but also promote a cleaner, healthier public space for all residents. Additionally, this bill will align Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with global standards for public health protection, bringing long-term benefits to the province.

The alliance is urging Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur to take immediate action to move the legislation forward in the provincial assembly. It also calls on the Standing Committee on Health to fulfill its oversight responsibilities and address the significant delays in enacting this life-saving law.

Qamar Naseem, alliance’s provincial coordinator highlighted the pressing need for this legislation: He said, “The prolonged delay in enacting the ‘KP Prohibition of Tobacco and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Bill’ is not only disheartening but also dangerous. We are losing lives every day to tobacco-related illnesses.”

Yar Mohammad Shaheen, president of the Traders Association, emphasised the broad support for this law from the business community: He stressed, “As traders, we believe in creating a healthy environment for both our workforce and customers. Smoke-free public spaces are essential for promoting health and well-being. We demand that the government take swift action to pass this legislation, which will benefit everyone by creating cleaner and safer public spaces across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2024