ISLAMABAD: Health activists have urged the government to ban innovative products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco devices to save the future of Pakistan.
This demand was made during the launch ceremony of “Big Tobacco – Tiny Targets,” a survey conducted by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) in collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) to examine the sale and advertising trends of innovative tobacco products in nine Pakistani cities.
Health Activists ask govt to impose ban on tobacco devices
According to the survey, all places of sale were marketing new cigarettes centered on youth interests. To appeal to children and youth, these products, primarily nicotine pouches, are displayed at eye level for kids and set among candy, sweets, and toys. To draw in clients, vendors use sales strategies such as discounted products, free samples, gifts, and competition entries.
The Chief Guest, Mahesh Kumar Malani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Services Regulations and Coordination, Government of Pakistan, said that children in Pakistan are national assets. Everyone is aware of the basic risks of cigarettes, but this research is important since it investigates the consequences of advertising as well. This will help us in the future to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco. The government is dedicated to the protection and well-being of Pakistani children, and it works with all stakeholders to save the future of youth.
Dr. Shazia Sobia Soomro, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation, and Coordination, said this research is a wake-up call to everyone that Pakistan’s children are bombarded with marketing and easy access to addictive nicotine products near their educational and recreational facilities. This research will aid us in developing strategies to protect our children from the dangers of tobacco use.
SPARC’s Tiny Targets were appreciated by Khalida Ahmed, a member of the SPARC Board of Directors. She said that increased tobacco consumption is a major issue in Pakistan. She said almost 1200 children in Pakistan start smoking every day since it is cheap and simple to do so.
According to Sana Jamali, a member of Pakistan’s Senate, this research would assist the government in recognizing the dangers of innovative tobacco products before it is too late. The government must prohibit addictive nicotine products and enhance Pakistan’s tobacco control legislation, including prohibiting all types of addictive nicotine product advertising.
The tobacco industry has already misled the government by claiming that e-cigarettes and nicotine patches are solely for smokers who wish to quit smoking. These products, however, are freely promoted online and offered to young and new consumers.
According to Khalil Ahmed Dogar, SPARC’s Programme Manager, the Tiny Targets survey was done in Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, and Hyderabad. Data was collected from vendors within a 100-meter radius of schools, universities, hostels, playgrounds and parks, shopping malls, cinemas, indoor gaming entertainment centers, and restaurants.
Parliamentarians, civil society members, health activists, journalists, and youth attended the event, where they praised SPARC’s work and vowed to support the cause of making Pakistan tobacco-free.
