KARACHI, May 30: The World No Tobacco Day is being observed on Monday (May 31). Pakistan Medical Association, apprising the general public of hazards of smoking on this occasion, has requested them to give it up.

In a statement here on Sunday, the PMA said smoking causes cancer and approximately 80 to 85 per cent of lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, mouth and tongue cancer besides cardiac problems, bronchitis, emphysema, TB of lungs and larynx are common owing to smoking.

A study carried out in 1999 found that less educated people are heavily affected by tobacco as their ratio was 42 per cent as compared to 17 per cent graduates. Passive smokers were more prone to hazards as they inhale all the smoke of the active smokers so the family members of the smoker head have more chances of falling prey to above mentioned diseases, PMA said.

The PMA also demanded from the government to enforce the laws strictly banning smoking at the public places, offices, schools, colleges, during the travelling, etc., and also put a ban on advertisements of cigarettes in print and electronic media.

Meanwhile, NGOs have chalked out programmes in this regard. The prize distribution ceremony of a poster competition on "Tobacco and Poverty" in connection with World No-tobacco will be held at the Arts Council, at 5pm. Similarly, a walk will be arranged at Nazimabad Patrol Pump at 9am.