PESHAWAR
Public and private sector stakeholders have agreed on the partnership to prevent the injurious impacts of the tobacco smoking in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and termed their cooperation in that regard inevitable.
This was agreed during a multi-stakeholder consultative session on Tobacco Control here on Thursday. The consultation was organized under the auspices of a non-governmental organization Blue Veins in collaboration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tobacco Control Cell (TCC) and International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) on the integration and implementation of the provincial roadmap on Tobacco Control prepared by the Health Department KP.
The roadmap outlines a comprehensive plan to address the problem of tobacco use in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The consultation was aimed at consensus building for the integration of tobacco control into healthcare development and education programs for resource allocation and identifying viable measures and actions to support and promote tobacco control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It was discussed that the Health Department will be working closely with civil society organizations, health professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure that the roadmap is implemented effectively.
Speaking at the occasion, Muhammad Imran Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Human Rights and Relief emphasized the importance of reducing tobacco use to improve public health and well-being. “We know that tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, and it is our responsibility to take action to address this problem,” Muhammad Imran Khan said.
The roadmap, he said is an important step towards creating a tobacco-free future for our citizens, and the district administration is committed to working with all stakeholders to make it a reality.
The Tobacco Control Roadmap has been welcomed by health advocates and civil society organizations, who have long been calling for stronger measures to address the problem of tobacco use in the country.
Tania Shaheen, Additional Assistant Commissioner (AAC) Tehsil, Shahalam termed Tobacco Control Roadmap a significant step towards creating a healthier and more tobacco-free future for citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The District Administration is committed towards the implementation and effectiveness of tobacco control measures and its monitoring in their jurisdiction and we urge all stakeholders to support these important efforts.
“We applaud the government’s commitment to reducing tobacco use and protecting citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco,” Sana Ahmad, Programme Coordinator Blue Veins said,
She said that they are looking forward to working with the KP government to ensure that the roadmap is implemented effectively and that all citizens and vulnerable segments have access to the support they need to quit smoking.
