PESHAWAR, June 12: A tobacco firm has planned free hepatitis screening and vaccination facilities for farmers in tobacco-growing districts in the NWFP.

Speaking at a ceremony held to launch the firm’s ‘social report’ on Tuesday, an official said the programme would be started in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Programme for Control and Prevention of Hepatitis.

Mardan District Nazim Himayatullah Mayar urged the firm to install MRI and CT scanners at the DHQ hospital, instead of holding free medical camps.

Tehsil Swabi Nazim Shah Room Khan said people needed tips to protect themselves against ill-effects of the pesticides.

Farmers from Mardan, Swabi and Mansehra districts expressed concern over low wages given to them by cigarette-manufacturing firms.

They said that it should be made obligatory upon the manufacturers to purchase the entire production of tobacco from the farmers.