Dec 11, 2021: Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ali has issued instructions to make the tourist city of Murree a no-smoking zone.
He made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the District Tobacco Control Implementation Committee, in which he called for immediate action to rid Murree of tobacco smoke. DC said that Murree is a popular hill station where tourists come from all over the country, so it is important to set an example for ‘Smoke Free Murree’ which ultimately reflects ‘Smoke Free Pakistan’.
He said that all other tehsils of Rawalpindi would also follow suit, thus making it the first non-smoking district in Pakistan.
As per the ‘Tobacco Smoke-Free Cities of Pakistan’ project, orders have been issued to install ‘No Smoking’ signboards outside schools and colleges in Rawalpindi.
The same will be implemented in all government offices, healthcare centres, hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, dhabas, courts, conference halls, public transport vehicles, stadiums, recreational places etc. Anyone found violating the directives will face legal proceedings.
Dr. Samra Mazhar, director of tobacco control at the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, said that more than 150,000 people die each year from the harmful effects of smoking. Se added that taking appropriate steps would prevent such deaths in future.
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18 in shops across the district and requires them to put up relevant signboards in plain sight. Similarly, selling, distributing and storing cigarettes within 50 meters of schools and colleges is prohibited.
Qasim Ijaz, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Head of Tobacco Control Implementation Committee, Rawalpindi Cell, also addressed the meeting and said that the district administration has joined hands with the Government of Pakistan for setting up of “Quit Smoking Clinics” which will be inaugurated soon.
These clinics are being set up at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital and Holy Family Hospital, and will be a great resource for those who want to quit smoking by simplifying the process through treatment and guidance.
He added that tobacco use is a major cause of at least 18 types of cancer, heart disease, heart attack and many other diseases. This increases the risk of lung cancer by 20-30%.
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