KARACHI: Health experts on Thursday called for an ‘absolute ban’ on sugar-sweetened beverages as well as smoking to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVD), hypertension and diabetes.

They urged the authorities concerned to make sugary drinks and tobacco products ‘unaffordable’ in the country.

“It’s so unfortunate that in Pakistan, sugary drinks and cigarettes are easily available at cheap rates,” renowned physician Prof Ejaz Vohra said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of renovated cardiology department at the Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2022