KARACHI, Jan 17: Health care professionals have underscored the need for across-the-board and equally stringent implementation of anti-smoking ordinance in the country to help prevent wide range of diseases.

Experts through the platform of Network for Consumer Protection said the ordinance had to be extended to the provinces and remote districts of the country.

They said all provincial and district governments should also accelerate their efforts to protect the non-smokers’ health at public places.

They observed with concern that smoking in enclosed places, public places and public transport continues despite some the fines imposed by Traffic Magistrates and Secretary Transport Authority to the violators of law in the federal capital.

“This process should further gain momentum in Islamabad and should be followed by administrations of other cities and districts,” experts including Prof Javaid A. Khan said.

Mentioning that the Supreme Court has directed the health ministry and other concerned institutions to take concrete steps for implementation of the Ordinance in letter and spirit, the experts said penalising some violators in Islamabad did not fully comply with the true spirit of the directions of the superior court.

Although some statements and banners against smoking could be witnessed at public places, the awareness campaign on a limited scale could not give the desired results, Ayaz Kiani said adding that implementation of law needs concrete steps forthwith.

The Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance was promulgated in 2002 with an aim to promote public health and a smoke-free environment.

Under the ordinance, smoking has been prohibited at public places including restaurants, hospitals, bus stops, airports, railway stations, schools, colleges, offices and public transport.—APP