Skip to main content

Crackdown on illegal promotional campaigns to be launched

Islamabad : The provincial governments, law enforcement agencies and police are all set to launch a country wide crackdown against the local cigarette manufacturers for committing serious violations of Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship (TAPS) laws.Taking notice of news published in The News dated April 7, 2019, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination has written a letter to the provisional governments and Islamabad Capital Territory for immediate action against the local cigarette manufacturers for enforcement of tobacco control laws here on Monday.According to MNSRC officials, a major crackdown against these local cigarette manufacturers is being launched at national level. These manufacturers are openly offering gifts, cash back rewards, free sampling, cash offers, use of human or animal pictures to attract young consumers.The enforcement exercise is expected to result in seizure of violated cigarette products and arrest of persons involved in manufacturing and sale of these cigarette packs openly violating laid down rules and regulations.According to the Health Ministry’s letter, provincial governments and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administrations have been asked to immediately invoke powers under SRO.1068(I)/2019 to take action against these local cigarette manufacturers involved in serious violations of these rules and regulations.Health Ministry in the official letter also said that the tobacco use is a single largest preventable cause of death in the world. In Pakistan, tobacco is a cause of death of around 166,000 persons every year. The youth of Pakistan are being targeted by the local tobacco industry so that “replacement smokers” could be recruited. Around 1200 Pakistani children between age of 6 & 15 start smoking every day.According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2014 almost 24million (19.1percent) adults currently use tobacco in any form in Pakistan. That accounts for 15.6 million (12.4percent) adults who currently smoke tobacco including 3.7 million adults using water pipes, hookah or shisha and another 9.6 million (7.7percent) adults who use smokeless tobacco.According to official correspondence, it is well documented that the Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship increase tobacco use and that bans on TAPS decrease tobacco use. In this regard, government has issued TAPS guidelines under “Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers’ Health Ordinance 2002”. According to the SRO.1086(I)2013, it is illegal to advertise tobacco and tobacco products on print, electronic and outdoor media or through depiction of a human or animal images or through a poster or banner affixed outside a shop, kiosk or mobile trolley. Moreover, according to the SRO.53(KE)/2009, it is illegal to offer free goods, cash rebates, free samples, discount or goods below the market values for the purpose of the advertisement of tobacco or tobacco products to consumers to generate sale or promote smoking.Currently, this Ministry has noticed violations of the said laws. It has been observed that the local cigarette manufacturers are openly violating these laws by offering gifts, cash back rewards, free sampling, cash offers, use of human or animal pictures to attract consumers etc.It is pertinent to mention that SRO. 1068(I) 2006 and SRO.46(I)/2007 empowers the provisional governments and Islamabad Capital Territory administration to enforce tobacco control laws in their jurisdiction. Police officers are authorized persons to take action against the violators of the aforesaid laws/ordinance. The violation of section-7 are cognizable and bail able offences and can be trialled by the magistrate of the first class, Health Ministry added.

from The News International - Islamabad http://bit.ly/2vtrvYZ

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sindh police chief takes notice over viral alleged aerial firing videos of DIG East’s son

Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon took notice after videos of aerial firing allegedly by the son of a high-ranking Karachi police official surfaced on Thursday. Videos shared on social media allegedly showed the son of Karachi East Deputy Inspector General of Police Azfar Mahesar firing a pistol and rifles into the air while travelling in a luxury car. In one such video, policemen were also purportedly visible. Footage of the alleged incidents went viral on social media. A statement issued today from the Sindh police said IGP Memon ordered an inquiry against the DIG East and directed Karachi’s additional IGP to carry out the investigation. The statement added that departmental action would be initiated upon the inquiry’s completion. It said the investigation would also probe whether the weapons used in the incident were officially issued or not. “No one will be allowed to spread fear and chaos like this,” IGP Memon vowed. Meanwhile, DIG Mahesar

Casualties feared in Dir clashes between FC, intruding militants: reports

LOWER DIR: Casualties are feared on both sides as militants from Afghanistan reportedly attacked Frontier Corps (FC) personnel at multiple locations at the Pak-Afghan border in Maidan area of Lower Dir district on Saturday, as per unconfirmed reports. According to local residents and official sources, there were reports of militants’ infiltration from the Afghan side via the Shahi border area at Lamotai Top, Suripao and Safarai forest. However, the reports were yet to be confirmed by Inter Services Public Relations, the military’s media wing. On getting information about the alleged infiltration, troops of the paramilitary force, FC, led by Captain Yasin, Captain Asfandiar and Subedar Hamza, advanced to block the militants’ movement, as per reports. The militants allegedly attacked the troops, who also retaliated, thus prompting fears of casualties on both sides. The security forces surrounded alleged militants at three different locations. Later, gunship helicopters lau

Family points finger at PPP MNA, two sons in journalist Nasrullah Gadani’s murder in Ghotki

SUKKUR: Slain journalist Nasrullah Gadani’s mother and two relatives have reiterated the allegation in statements recorded under Section 164 CrPC in a Mirpur Mathelo court that Pakistan Peoples Party’s MNA and his two sons had Nasrullah killed through their men. Ms Pathani Gadani, who was complainant in the case, and witnesses, Yaqoub Gadani and Salahuddin Gadani along with their counsel advocate Salahuddin Panhwar appeared before the second civil and first magistrate the other day and told him that PPP MNA Khalid Khan Loond, his sons, Shehbaz Loond, who was chairman of Mirpur Mathelo municipal committee, and Noor Mohammad Loond, had Nasrullah slain but the trio was so powerful that police had not dared include their names in the FIR. They appealed to the court to bring Nasrullah’s real killers to justice as per law and serve speedy justice to the bereaved family. Gadanis’ counsel Salahuddin Panhwar told media persons that the complainant and the witnesses had clearly stated t