The Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) has decided to introduce legislation so that the use of tobacco will be banned at all public events, after the Supreme Court recommended for local laws to be strengthened against tobacco use.
This will require the organisers to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from the district government beforehand.
The new legislation will ban smoking during public and political rallies, protests, sit-ins, religious gatherings, fashion shows, music concerts and a section for the use of tobacco will also be added on traffic tickets.
A CADD official said though several national and international organisations and UN agencies had been recommended steps for discouraging the use of tobacco, directions from the SC had expedited the government efforts.
“We are preparing a draft in which the rules of the Tobacco Vendors Act (TVA) 1958 will be incorporated along with suggestions from UN agencies,” he said.
Before being issued NOC for holding public event, organisers will have to submit affidavit saying no one will smoke at the event
The official added that the draft would be incorporated in the Local Government Act and would be presented in parliament to be approved. He said the law would only be applicable in the federal capital.
CADD Deputy Secretary Establishment Dr Minhajus Siraj, who is also project director of the Tobacco Smoke-Free Capital, said arrangements were being made for making legislation meant to discourage the use of tobacco.
When asked, Dr Minhaj said 1,200 outlets were presently selling tobacco in the urban areas of Islamabad.
Of these 1,200 outlets, 900 have submitted affidavits and the remaining will be registered in the current month, he added.
According to the conditions for obtaining the licence, a vendor has to make sure his shop is smoke-free, that there are no displays or advertisements of tobacco products in his shop and that no cigarettes will be sold if the packaging does not feature a pictorial warning.
Vendors also have to submit an affidavit saying they will not sell individual cigarettes to those under the age of 18. Licensed shops also cannot be located 50 metres from an educational institute. Vendors will also have to display a sign inside their shops which says ‘Smoking is an offence’.