Politicians endorse support for tobacco control policies

In next general elections, voters should not vote for those candidates who smoke, appeal a groups of 40 Rawalpindi politicians belonging to major political parties of the country. This appeal was made from the forum of TheNetwork for Consumer Protection that was organized in Rawapindi to muster the local proticians 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 a queue 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 resolute the enforcement of Prohibition of Smoking & Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 200 and Pakistan Tobacco Vendors Act 1958 in a session for parliamentarians and politicians organized by TheNetwork for Consumer Protection in Rawalpindi.

 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. He promised to highlight the recommendations of TheNetwork for Complete Ban on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship in party meetings to include tobacco control in charter of Pakistan Peoples Party.

 Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) which has recently introduced its health policy, Farah Agha, President PTI Rawalpindi & 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 to banish tobacco sale points from residential areas.