Physicians appeal for tobacco control measures

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The renowned physicians working in major hospitals of Pakistan have sent a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, raising serious concerns on the growing tobacco epidemic in the country.

“Cigarette smoking kills more than 100,000 people every year in the country. This death toll is far greater in number than total deaths taking place as a result of suicidal bombings, traffic accidents and crime related killings,” Prof Javaid Khan, Chair. National Alliance for Tobacco Control and Professor of Medicine at the Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi, submitted in the petition.

“We, the doctors, see the victims of tobacco every day in their clinical practice and are very concerned on the growing mortality and morbidity due to tobacco use in the country,” he remarked.

Prof Javaid Khan warned that failure to control tobacco use in the country would be a health and economic disaster for the country. “Tobacco use increases the risk of heart attacks, hypertension, stroke, various lung diseases and twenty different types of cancers,” he explained.

Elaborating on the impact of tobacco on Pakistan's economy he said that Pakistanis spent over Rs. 260 billion on over 64 billion cigarettes in the year 2015 alone.

“Equal if not more amount was spent on consuming smokeless tobacco in the form of paan, naswar and gutka. Huge sum of Pakistan's foreign exchange is spent in importing medicines for treating diseases caused by tobacco. Tobacco control measures would help in improving the country's economy,” he reckoned.

The petition was signed by well-known physicians belonging to leading hospitals of Pakistan including Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Dow University of Health Sciences, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore and Rahim Yar Khan, Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore, King Edward Medical College, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi.

The petition demanded that the ‘Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of non-smoker's Health Ordinance of 2002’ should be strictly enforced in order to control tobacco epidemic in the country.

The doctors urged that all public places and public transport should be made completely smoke free in order to protect the health of non-smokers.

The petition also advised the government to increase the taxation on cigarette in the forthcoming budget as at present cigarette prices in the country are lowest in the region.

They claimed that according to World Bank research increasing the tax by 10 percent, tobacco consumption in the country can be reduced by 11 percent.

The doctors also raised their concern that despite of law which prohibited the sale of tobacco products to Under-18 age group no shopkeeper has ever been punished in Pakistan for selling cigarettes to minor.

The letter said that the strong pictorial health warnings on tobacco products are a proven strategy to reduce its demand. The petition demanded of the government to increase the size of pictorial health warning on cigarette pack to 85% without any further delay.

The doctors regretted that in spite of the fact that tobacco is responsible for almost 50% of all cancer cases in the country, yet smoking is still being advertised in the country at the point of sale. Also, it is portrayed through TV drama serials as a pleasurable, cool, glamorous and an adventurous act.

The petition demanded a comprehensive ban on all forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorship in the country. The physicians also appealed that all universities and colleges must be made smoking-free zones in order to discourage youth from taking up this addiction, suggesting that there should be no tobacco vendors/shops allowed within walking distance of schools, colleges or universities.

University of Karachi Sindhi Department Students Organize Book Festival During Students’ Week

KARACHI: Students of the Sindhi Department at the University of Karachi (UoK) have organized a book stall as part of Students’ Week, promoting reading habits, literature and a culture of learning among students and visitors. The book festival is being held from September 29 to October 2, 2026, with the stall open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The initiative is being managed by students of the Sindhi Department, who are making books accessible to readers throughout the event. The student-led initiative comes at a time when concerns are growing over the decline of reading habits and the diminishing role of books in everyday life. The festival provides an opportunity for students, book lovers and members of the public to reconnect with literature and explore a variety of written works. Books play an important role in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening critical thinking and introducing readers to different experiences, histories and ideas. Literature also encourages empathy, broadens ...

Renowned Urdu Fiction Writer and Psychologist Hasan Manzar Passes Away

Karachi: The Urdu literary community is mourning the death of renowned fiction writer, author and psychologist Hasan Manzar, whose literary contributions explored the complexities of human psychology, social behaviour and the realities of life. Remembered for his distinctive literary style and profound understanding of human nature, Hasan Manzar earned recognition for his ability to portray the psychological dimensions of human experiences and relationships. His writings offered deep insights into the complexities of individual and collective life. His passing has left readers, writers and admirers of Urdu literature grieving the loss of a distinguished literary voice. His work remains an important part of his literary legacy and will continue to engage readers for generations to come. Hasan Manzar's writings were distinguished by their exploration of human emotions, psychological conflicts and the social circumstances that shape people's lives. Through his fiction, he brought...

Constitution, Justice and Public Trust Essential for National Unity: Speakers

Bazm-e-Mukalma Pakistan organized the 39th Professor Karrar Hussain Memorial Lecture with a question-and-answer session at Rabat Hall, Bahadurabad, on “Lack of National Unity: Causes and Remedies.” Speakers and senior analysts Syed Muzafar Ejaz and Mazhar Abbas said national unity could not be achieved through slogans alone, but required justice, equality, constitutional supremacy, democratic continuity and public trust. They highlighted religious, linguistic, provincial and class-based divisions as major challenges to national cohesion. Mazhar Abbas stressed the importance of institutions working within their constitutional limits, freedom of the press and respect for the people’s right to choose their representatives. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session on national identity, constitutional supremacy, the political system, provincial grievances and the role of state institutions.

Shehri TV – Pakistan News, Current Affairs, Entertainment

Search This Blog