PESHAWAR, May 31: Laws must be implemented in letter and spirit to curb under-age cigarette sale and tobacco advertisements and ban smoking in public places, according to experts attending events marking the World No-Tobacco Day here on Wednesday.

They claimed that some 12,000 adolescents started smoking every day in Pakistan, saying that it was incumbent upon the government to allocate more funds to create public awareness about hazards of smoking.

In a function organised jointly by the provincial health department and the World Health Organisation, experts highlighted issues about sale, marketing and ordinances banning smoking in public places and its sale to the under-age persons.

Dr Fayyaz Ali, assistant director health department, cited a study conducted by the Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA), saying that 12,000 children start smoking every day in the country because of the relentless and unethical promotional tactics used by cigarette manufacturers.

Dr Ali said that the tobacco industry paid Rs19.8 billion annual in government taxes, which was 25 per cent of the total national budget.

He said that tobacco was 10 times more addictive than heroin.

WHO’s Dr Saeed Akbar Khan called for setting up of anti-smoking clinics and said that nicotine was far more dangerous than cocaine or alcohol.

Director-General Health, NWFP, Jalilur Rehman, announced imposition of Rs500 fine on anyone smoking in the premises of the department.

PAKISTAN CHEST SOCIETY: In a press conference at the press club, Dr Arshad Javaid, president of the NWFP chapter of the Pakistan Chest Society (PCS), called for educating the students about the harmful effects of tobacco use.