‘Tobacco and emerging nicotine products’ consumption has been increasing among the youth due to operational obstacle in tobacco control laws and policies is Sindh’, participants of a policy dialogue on tobacco control concluded.
Provincial Minister for Women Development Department Government of Sindh, Ms. Shaheena Sher Ali was speaking at a policy dialogue on regulation on tobacco and emerging products organized by Aurat Foundation here at a local hotel in Karachi. The minister said that the Government of Sindh is cognizant of the issues our youth are facing and the menace of tobacco and emerging products.
The minister said, “With pleasure I note that in Sindh we have recently promulgated a comprehensive policy on tobacco control in the province, we have a fully functional Provincial tobacco Control Cell at the Directorate of Health Services and our compliance of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002 in and around schools is effective”.
She said, ‘The nicotine thrillers but kills”.
Shaheena Sher Ali vowed that the tobacco and emerging nicotine products shall be controlled through legislation, administrative powers and social actions in the province of Sindh.
Ms. Sher Ali informed that we are also actively working with Aurat Foundation on the strengthening of Women Parliamentary Caucus at the Sindh Provincial Assembly.
The minister assured the civil society and Aurat Foundation for working to impose tax and levies on tobacco and emerging nicotine products as well as brining new legislation for controlling such harmful substances
While concluding the minister said, “I am thankful to Aurat foundation for taking up a very important social issue that the citizens of Sindh in general and the youth in particular are facing as a social evil- use of tobacco in different forms, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, velo, vapes, nicotine pouches, chewing gums, shisha, waterpipes, gutka and such products that are harmful to both health and wealth.”
Mr Sukhdev Hemnani, Spokes Person of the Sindh Government lauded the efforts of Aurat Foundation for saving millions of lives by working on the tobacco and nicotine control. He assured that the government of Sindh shall exploit all possible venues, including legislation and imposition of levy, to control the menace of tobacco, nicotine and drugs. He informed that not only tobacco control, the Sindh government is also working with Aurat Foundation for the rights of women. ‘Sindh government is the only entity in Pakistan doing lots of work for the rights of secluded and weaker segments of society like minorities, transgenders, women and persons with disabilities.
Dr. Fouzia Khan, Chief Advisor to the Sindh Education and Literacy Department said that the Sindh education and literacy department is implementing the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002 in letter and spirit and sale, storage, and distribution of tobacco products in 50 meters radius of all education institutions is prohibited and not only tobacco and cigarettes but emerging products are banned in and around schools. She emphasized that the we have zero tolerance policy on tobacco and nicotine products in schools both public and private.
Dr. Parvez Ahmed Shaikh, representative of the Directorate of Health Services Sindh elaborated the role of Provincial Tobacco Control Cell establish by the Government of Sindh to streamline policies vis-a-vis tobacco control in the province of Sindh. He suggested that research should be conducted on varius aspects of tobacco. He expressed his dismay that the emerging smokeless tobacco products and devices are being sullied by the home delivery services regardless of the age that is a flagrant violation of the law and it must be stopped. The TCC Sindh has taken cognizance of this practice and we are going to take action with the support of the concerned departments including information department, Dr. Parvez concluded.
Member of provincial assembly of Sindh Ms. Marvi Rashdi, Ms. Qurat Ul Ain, Ms. Bilquis Mukhtar, and Ms. Kiran Masood also spoke on the occasion and reposed their support for controlling tobacco and other nicotine products.
Member of Sindh Assembly Ms. Maleeha Manzoor presented two resolutions:
1. This gathering of health professionals and advocates of citizens’ rights demand the provincial legislature of Sindh to enact comprehensive legislation to regulate the sale, distribution, marketing, and consumption of tobacco and emerging nicotine products, including vapes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and tobacco chew gums for wellbeing and health of the people of Sindh especially youth.
2. These gathering demands that Government of Sindh should impose a provincial excise tax on tobacco and emerging nicotine products, with the revenue generated earmarked for public health initiatives, including anti-tobacco campaigns and healthcare infrastructure development.
The participants of the policy dialogue acceded to the resolutions with clapping. The same shall be presented before the Sindh provincial assembly as resolutions supported by the public.
Dr. Saima Saeed, Consultant Pulmonologist at the Indus Hospitals and Health Network (IHHN) while speaking on the hazardous of tobacco and nicotine usage explained in details the medical aftermaths like cancer, lung cancers, respiratory diseases and risks of passive smoking. She stated that the Indus Hospitals and Health Network, along with their partners Aurat Foundation, Society for the Protection of the Rights of Child, Human Development Foundation, Chromatic, and SEEDO are actively engaged in tobacco control activities in the country.
Ms. Mumtaz Mughal, Director Program of Aurat Foundation, elaborated that as the menace of tobacco directly or indirectly affects women, if their family members fell into the trap of smoking, thus Aurat Foundation considers a strategic move to tackle tobacco control through women folks.
Malka Khan, Provincial Manager of Aurat Foundation, highlighted its 40 years of struggle and contribution for the rights of women & their legal emancipation with special reference to political presence of women in elected institutions-National and Provincial Assemblies, senate and local bodies.
Resident Director of Aurat Foundation Sindh Ms. Muneezeh Khan thanked the audience and formally closed this crucial policy dialogue.
The participants vowed to support Aurat Foundation for regulating tobacco and emerging products in the province of Sindh.
