Tobacco accounting for 10.9pc of total deaths in Pakistan, statistics said
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco Control has urged the provincial health department to expedite the submission of the “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tobacco Prohibition and Health Protection of Non-Smokers Bill” to the cabinet for immediate approval.
Qamar Naseem, the provincial coordinator for the Alliance, expressed disappointment over the protracted delay, calling it both “unfortunate and dangerous.”
He said that the significant piece of legislation, which has been pending since 2016 despite receiving approval from the law department, aims to safeguard public health by creating smoke-free public spaces and protecting non-smokers from the detrimental effects of second-hand smoke.
Data underscores the urgency of this bill: more than 163,600 deaths occur annually in Pakistan due to tobacco use, with approximately 31,000 attributed to second-hand smoke exposure, he added.
“Tobacco is responsible for 16 percent of male deaths and 4.9pc of female deaths, accounting for 10.9pc of total deaths in the country,” he shared.
The Alliance coordinator stressed that enacting this bill would be pivotal for shielding the public from tobacco-related harm and ensuring a healthier environment for future generations.
They have called on Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to present the bill in the provincial assembly without further delay.
Additionally, the Standing Committee on Health has been urged to fulfill its oversight role and assist in resolving the legislative deadlock.
Qamar stated, “Each day of inaction results in more lives lost to tobacco-related diseases. Implementing this law is essential to protecting non-smokers and fortifying the province’s public health system.”
The Alliance emphasized that smoke-free public spaces benefit everyone, including businesses, employees, and customers.
“We urge the government to pass this legislation promptly to ensure that public places in KP are healthy and clean,” Naseem concluded.
