Through the columns of your newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the following problem.
Unfortunately, Pakistan is amongst the few countries which are lagging behind the rest of the world in their implementation of the smoking ban at public places.
Scientific research has confirmed that exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) can cause lung cancer, heart attack, asthma, pneumonia as well as several other diseases.
Sadly our hotels and restaurants are openly flouting the smoking ban in their premises. International fast food chains which have completely smoke-free outlets in the rest of the world, allow smoking inside their restaurants in Pakistan.
Authorities concerned in the country are watching this violation of law as a silent spectator, seemingly because public health is not a priority here. The situation is also not very different at other public places like airports.
Just recently at Islamabad airport people were openly smoking in the domestic departure lounge.
When I complained to the Civil Aviation Authority about this violation, the officer in charge said that he had not received any notification from the government regarding the closure of smoking areas at airports.
Our buses and other public transport are also full of tobacco smoke, endangering people’s health. I urge the ministry of health to take urgent measures in order to protect the public from the serious health risks associated in Pakistan.
HAFIZA MEHAK ASLAM
Karachi