Campaign for making Smoke Free Public Service Vehicles in Karachi launched
A meeting held at the office of Secretary Regional Transport Authority Karachi to discuss on the enforcement of Tobacco Control laws in Public Service Vehicles of city.
It was organized on the request of Tobacco Smoke Free Karachi, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (NHSR&C) and attended by office bearers of different transport unions.
Nazar Hussain Shahani Secretary Regional Transport Authority Karachi presided the meeting, while appreciating the efforts of Tobacco Smoke Free Cities , Ministry of NHSR&C he asked for the need of awareness among public regarding the hazards of Smoking and use of all types of tobacco products.
Whereas Dr. Minhaj us Siraj Project Director Tobacco Control Ministry of NHSR&C shed light on the existing laws of tobacco control and also shared the successful examples of Islamabad including other districts of Pakistan where Public Service Vehicles(PSVs) are completely smoke free.
He stated that we could save the lives of future generations if PSVs and Public Places would be smoke free as around 166,000 people died annually due to the use of tobacco products.
Moreover he said it is our responsibility to protect the lives of non smokers , who inhale the smoke of cigarettes in PSVs and Public Places due to the lack of TC laws enforcement in said places.
In the end of Meeting Secretary RTA including office bearers of all transport union including Karachi Transport Ittehad assured for the strict enforcement of TC laws in PSVs by pasting No smoking signage in buses, coaches and all types of PSVs which are operating in Karachi .
However Secretary RTA Karachi along with Dr. Minhaj us Siraj formally initiated the campaign of Smoke Free PSVs by pasting stickers in buses, coaches and rickshaws.
In the end of meeting Secretary RTA Karachi Office declared smoke free zone after Ribbon cutting ceremony of smoke free plate at the office of RTA Karachi .
Muhammad Aftab Project Manager TSFC, Bilal Zafar Coordinator Tobacco Control East Karachi, Tanveer Qaimkhani Coordinator Tobacco Control South Karachi , including all the employees and officers of RTA Karachi department, office bearers of Transport Unions were present in the meeting and also shared their views on the importance of TC laws enforcement.
