ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: The district administration is to reinforce its campaign to discourage smoking, starting January 1, 2013. The local administration plans to put up banners and posters across the city.

“One of the best ways is to put up warning signs and posters, especially at sale points, warning against selling of cigarettes to teenagers, under the age of 18,” said Deputy Commissioner ICT Amir Ali Ahmed, explaining that warning signs would send a certain message and serve as a deterrent for youngsters.

Some of the obvious but gradual effects of the new campaign would be to ensure that all brands carried picture warnings/messages on cigarette packs. Encouraging big stores and especially road side kiosks to put up posters to discourage underage smoking, he said.

“The ICT teams have held meetings with unions in markets on the subject and asked them to cooperate in this regard,” said Amir Ali Ahmed.

The Deputy Commissioner, who also heads the Tobacco Cell of the Cabinet Division, intends to use awareness and motivation as a tool to discourage smoking.

The campaign would target indoor smoking as well.

The law banning indoor smoking of cigarettes and sheesha (water based hookah) was introduced last year in 2011. This was followed by awareness campaigns involving government schools. According to ICT officials, in the year 2012 there was a complete ban on smoking cigarettes indoors and especially sheeshas in restaurants and even five-star establishments.

“ICT has appreciated cooperation from individuals and corporate/business sectors to restrict indoor smoking,” said Amir Ali.

There were, however, certain restaurants in violation of law in Sectors F-10 and F-11. Such establishments were fined and tobacco related paraphernalia found on the premises was confiscated, said Amir Ali.

“The campaign does not mean putting people behind bars or to harass someone. On the contrary, ICT will enforce law in a subtle manner,” said Amir Ali adding that the ICT wanted to convince the younger generation logically through the awareness campaign and win them over.

The district administration had already taken the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) on board, where teachers were trained to spread anti smoking messages.

“The campaign to control smoking cigarettes and sheesha is a social issue and not a publicity stunt. Adults and children alike are not aware that one round of sheesha is as injurious to health as smoking 100 cigarettes. The administration is talking about collective responsibility to make the campaign successful,” said Amir Ali.