Skip to main content

Local cigarette companies playing with tobacco advertisement laws

Islamabad : Local cigarette companies have been found intensifying their advertisement campaign by displaying posters and banners outside shops in open violation of rules.The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination SRO 1086 (1) 2013 prohibits advertisement campaigns outside shops.According to details, Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non Smokers Health Ordinance 2002, Committee on tobacco advertisement guidelines notified under SRO 1005(I)/2013 and the SRO 1086 (1) 2013, no tobacco or tobacco product advertisement shall be allowed in print media, cinema, theatre, TV, radio along with advertisement through poster or banner made out of paper, plastic, cloth or any other material, affixed outside a shop, kiosk or mobile trolley. Laws also prohibits hard or soft on-store board or fascia affixed outside a shop, kiosk, or mobile trolley and through out of home billboard, whether fixed or mobile.Article 11 awards punishment for violation of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non Smokers Health Ordinance 2002, which may extend to one thousand rupees and in case of second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment of three month or with a fine not less than one hundred thousand rupees or both.However, this law is being openly violated by local cigarette manufacturers and no action is visible anywhere in the country by the concerned authorities. Currently local cigarette manufacturers are doing illegal advertisement campaigns by placing posters, boards and branding material out of shops and kiosks.According to health ministry officials, new law banning tobacco advertisement inside the shops is going to be introduced on 31st May, that is world no-tobacco day, while the law introduced six years back still awaits implementation in letter and spirit.The ministry has not done anything concrete and on ground to enforce current laws related to tobacco advertisements, other than writing letters to the provinces.Like every year, this year, too, the newly appointed Health Ministers/Advisors are focusing on introducing new laws, something that is expected from those who do not have an understanding on the subject or on health related matters. Similarly, the health authorities are also trying to please the anti-tobacco groups and different world organizations by announcing new laws while the older ones await an appropriate strategy and mechanism for effective implementation. However, much more is expected from the new and learned state minister on Health who should start holding the authorities responsible over non-implementation of current laws especially the Tobacco Control Cell, whose Director is much known for violation of Government laws himself.Sources say the standing committees at National Assembly and Senate too are also showing indifference towards implementation of the laws.

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Student council oath-taking ceremony

Islamabad:The Millennium College hosted a Student Council Investiture Ceremony 2019 at its Flagship Campus, I-9/3, says a press release.The student council comprising of AS & A Level, IBDP program and IGCSE’s vowed under oath that they will be active and responsible members of the student executive council and will abide by the laws made by the college and the managing body to guarantee themselves and the student body a better campus life.Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi graced the occasion and inducted the School’s Head Boy Sarosh Atif and Head Girl Qirrat Ali as well as the Executive Council Members of all clubs and societies established within the school system. After administering the oath, Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi along with the Founder & Chairman The Millennium Education Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq, Director International Qualifications Azra Tahir and Principal of Millennium College, Campus I-9/3, Muneeze Muzzafar awarded sashes, badges and certificates to the members of the co...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pragmatic steps taken to implement Axle Load Control regime on NH&MP

Islamabad: Ministry of Communications has taken pragmatic steps to implement the Axle Load Control regime on Motorways & National Highways in the country. Sole objective of this move is to control travelling of overloaded vehicles which lead to fatal accidents besides damaging the national asset of road network of billions of rupees.Prior to implementation of axle load control regime, a technical committee was formed, consisting of officers from Ministry of Communications and National Highway Authority which remained in constant contacts with transport community, Members of the Chambers of Commerce and stakeholders hailing from all the provinces. This technical committee visited their offices and held detailed discussions in series of meetings and took them into confidence to facilitate implementation of Axle Load Control regime. The stakeholders assured of their full cooperation and subsequently, implementation of Axle Load Control was realized which is in progress.It is worth to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

UN awards 2 Pakistani female peacekeepers for gender advocacy

The United Nations has awarded two Pakistani female peacekeepers with the Gender Advocacy Award for their “outstanding performance”, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. In a statement issued on Thursday, the ISPR said the awards were presented to Major Sania Safdar, part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus, and Major Komal Masood, who served in the Central African Republic, “for their outstanding performance and commitment in promoting the ideals of UN”. The accolades were presented by the under-secretary general in the UN’s Department for Peace Operations at its New York headquarters. “While serving in [an] international environment, both officers demonstrated exceptional professionalism [and] dedication,” the ISPR noted. It added that the two peacekeepers “made [a] significant contribution to Mission’s Peace and Stability efforts, especially with regards to advancing women’s meaningful participation in Peacekeeping Operations within the ...
Post a Comment
Read more