According to the World Health Organization, the number of smokers in Pakistan has reached up to 29 million. A total of 10.7% of Pakistani youth (13-15 years) indulge in tobacco due to its cheap and easy affordability. This means nearly 1200 children begin smoking every day in the country. This tobacco consumption makes them prone to non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and chronic lung diseases. Yearly, 170,000 people die due to tobacco consumption. This is a very alarming situation that needs immediate intervention by the government to safeguard public health.

The Global statistics are far more alarming, as WHO estimates suggest more than 8 million deaths each year due to tobacco consumption, while 1.2 million of these are a result of second-hand smoke exposure. Around the world, efforts to reduce tobacco use are undermined by the aggressive opposition of the big tobacco industry, which puts profits over lives.
Since becoming a party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, Pakistan has strived towards safeguarding children from tobacco consumption. Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of........

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