In next general elections, voters should not vote for those candidates who smoke, a group of 40 politicians belonging to various political parties appealed on Thursday.
This appeal was made from the forum of TheNetwork for Consumer Protection that was organized in Rawapindi to muster the local politicians support for the enforcement of tobacco control laws in the country. Nadeem Iqbal, executive coordinator said that the leaders of the political parties should take cue from their politicians and should not award tickets to the smokers that it will jeopardize their commitment to promoting public health.
Politicians endorse support for complete ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and effective enforcement of tobacco control laws. Activation of District Implementation Committee (DIC) for stringent enforcement measures, headed by District Coordination Officers (DCOs), re-notification of federal and provincial Advertisement Guidelines Committees was emphasized by leaders and district representatives of major political parties. Politicians said it was essential to implement the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2000 and Pakistan Tobacco Vendors Act 1958.
Tahira Aurangzaib, Member National Assembly (MNA) suggested parents to play their role in effective manner to reduce tobacco consumption among youth.
Sultan Mahmood Qazi, senior leader and Member Central Executive Committee, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emphasized to allocate sufficient budget for health sector to tackle the growing tobacco disease burden in Pakistan. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) which has recently introduced its health policy, Farah Agha, president Rawalpindi and Islamabad (Women Wing) suggested religious clergies to advocate people for quit smoking and following tobacco control laws through Juma sermons. Fouzia Naz, General Secretary (Women Wing) Pakistan Muslim League-Q suggested to include tobacco control in curriculums of young children to save Pakistani youth from tobacco hazards. District representative of MQM suggested banishing tobacco sale points from residential areas. Another representative of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) suggested imposition of higher taxes and higher prices to reduce tobacco consumption in Pakistan.
Representatives of PPP pledged support to advocate DCO Rawalpindi for activation of DIC in Rawalpindi city.
