LAHORE – Despite recent government notification, Police Department has “closed eyes” to sale of Sheesha and other smoking products in all major restaurants and cafes. The Punjab government promulgated Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers’ Health Ordinance in 2002 to ban smoking in public places.
However, the ordinance remained dormant and sale of smoking products including Sheesha remained unchecked. Recently Home Department issued another notification to Police Department ordering implementation of the ordinance and keeping a check on sale of smoking products in public places such as cafes and restaurants.
The sections 8 and 9 of the ordinance bans sale of cigarettes to people under 18 years of age and within 50 meters of any educational institution, be private or public. The Section 5 articulates, “All public places including restaurants, hotel lounges, clubs etc have to be completely smoke-free.”
As per the law a smoking product cannot be on a restaurant’s menu; there is no provision of smoking and no-smoking “zones” within a restaurant. “It is further added that sheesha, irrespective of its composition is a smoking product and its use is governed by above ordinance,” the notification reads.
However, a survey of major restaurants and cafes in Gulberg revealed that they not only continue serving sheesha within their premises but have been violating other sections of ordinance as well. The names of some of the major restaurants and cafes violating the ordinance include Cafe Zouk, Pizza Hut, Freddy’s Cafe, Jamin Java, Al- Nakhal, Sheikhoo Cafe, Kaps, World Fashion Cafe, Maisonette, Cafe Indulge. Scores of other cafes and restaurants are also involved in one or other violation of the ordinance with impunity.
A senior government official seeking anonymity said, “the ban on smoking in public is not new, but concerned departments have not been taking any action to check it. Moreover owners of restaurants and cafes did not consider sheesha as a banned product. Not to speak of unchecked sale of cigarettes in public places, government has recently incorporated sheesha into the notification order to further make things clear and has sent a copy to Police Department.
Though the Department has already acknowledged receipt of the orders but it has taken no action despite lapse of so many months.” He further added that the violation goes unchecked in provincial metropolis where all provincial ‘high-ups’ visit one of the places. “It is tantamount to putting our next generation at stake, despite having the knowledge that it is not only injurious to health but has been banned by law,” he said.
