PESHAWAR
\nIn a united front against the tobacco epidemic, Blue Veins, a local non-governmental organization together with the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control (PASTNC), urged the provincial Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to integrate comprehensive tobacco control measures into the forthcoming provincial health policy.
\nA press release on Thursday stated that in Pakistan, tobacco use is a cause of death of estimated 160,100 persons every year. Almost 23.9 million adults currently use tobacco in any form in the country.
\nThe civil society organizations emphasized the urgency of adopting the World Health Organization\u2019s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), an evidence-based treaty that has shown significant efficacy in reducing tobacco use and, consequently, non-communicable diseases (NCDs). \u201cIncorporating tobacco control into the health policy is not just a regulatory act\u2014it\u2019s a commitment to the well-being of all our citizens,\u201d stated Qamar Naseem, Program Manager of Blue Veins.
\n\u201cEffective implementation of both demand- and supply-side interventions can significantly reduce tobacco consumption, paving the way for a healthier future for our province.\u201d He said.
\nZahood Ahmad, the representative from the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control, echoed this sentiment, \u201cThe inclusion of robust tobacco control measures in the Provincial Health Policy will reflect the Provincial Government\u2019s dedication to safeguarding public health.
\nWe demand that the upcoming policy includes substantial budget allocations for mass public awareness, establishment of cessation programs, and strengthening of regulatory measures for newer nicotine and tobacco products.\u201d
\nYouth activist Usman Afridi also voiced strong support: \u201cAs a young citizen, I see the impact of tobacco on my peers. The Government must act now to prevent tobacco and nicotine addiction among the youth. Our health cannot be compromised.\u201d
\nThe civil society\u2019s demands are clear: integrate comprehensive tobacco control into the health policy, ensure adequate funding for tobacco control initiatives, establish effective cessation programs, and include regulations for new tobacco products to adapt to evolving market trends.
\nIn addition to these demands, Civil Society also advocate for public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and the benefits of quitting, enforcement of existing tobacco control laws, and periodic evaluation of these measures impact to ensure they effectively meet their objectives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR In a united front against the tobacco epidemic, Blue Veins, a local non-governmental organization together with the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control (PASTNC), urged the provincial Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to integrate comprehensive tobacco control measures into the forthcoming provincial health policy. A press release on Thursday stated that in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-405911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n