Islamabad
- Tobacco industry continues to
violate tobacco control laws by
finding loopholes in the existing
tobacco control ordinance and taking
advantage of lack of proper
implementation. The industry keeps
on challenging the government’s
drive for effective tobacco control
in the country by occupying more
space in media and resorting to
other tactics with the passage of
time.
In a
letter written to Ministry of Health
and World Health Organization,
Coalition of Tobacco Control in
Pakistan (CTC-Pak) urged upon the
Implementation Cell of Ministry of
Health to take appropriate measures
to check the violations of the law
by tobacco industry. “The industry
is persistent to cater its unethical
marketing tactics promoting its
products and attract the society,
especially youth, to secure its
multi billion investments. Such
violations need to be monitored and
redressed.” said Khurram Hashmi,
Coordinator of Coalition For Tobacco
Control – Pakistan.
Tobacco
products advertisements have started
to re-appear in print media in
larger size than the one specified
by the government promoting a
re-launching of a popular brands
with ‘new blend’ or ‘fresh scent’
while also promising handsome
rewards by offering attractive
benefits to the consumers.
Similarly, promotional stalls can be
found at various shopping areas of
the capital promoting a popular
brand in a new exclusive package
with gifts at no additional cost.
This only gains attention of old
smokers but also attracts new ones,
mostly youth, who find it
irresistibly glamorous. These stalls
are normally found near a populated
restaurant or, interestingly, a
famous pharmacy outlet.
Recently,
the tobacco industry also approached
a group of media journalists and
took them to a mountain resort for a
one day workshop organized on a
theme of responsible journalism.
Apparently, the industry feels its
obligation towards the people and
the society enough to sensitize the
journalists about the impact or
irresponsible reporting in various
mediums of the media.
The
Coalition For Tobacco Control
ensured its support to
Implementation Cell in effective
implementation of the tobacco
control ordinance.
