Punjab, Sindh CMs urge action against tobacco use

Ibrar Hussain:

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has described tobacco use as a threat more serious than an epidemic, warning that smoking can be more dangerous than many fatal diseases.

In her message on World No Tobacco Day, she said smoking is not merely a habit but a form of self-destructive behaviour that harms individual health while also placing a burden on the economy and wider society. She added that the provincial government is taking steps to enforce a ban on smoking in educational institutions, including schools and colleges, as part of efforts to protect young people from tobacco exposure.

Maryam Nawaz said smoking in government offices, public transport and other public places is a punishable offence and pledged strict enforcement of the law. She said every possible step would be taken to protect the younger generation from tobacco use.

The chief minister said awareness of the harmful effects of smoking is not only the responsibility of the government but a shared social duty. She described statistics showing more than 250,000 tobacco-related deaths in the country as alarming and distressing.

She said smoking and vaping could be major causes of heart attacks among young people and stressed that providing loved ones with a healthy, smoke-free environment is a collective responsibility. Maryam Nawaz appealed to the public to quit smoking and adopt a healthy lifestyle from today.

Meanwhile, World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on 31 May, bringing together governments, health organisations, civil society groups and young people worldwide to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and to promote measures aimed at ending nicotine and tobacco addiction.

Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said tobacco use is a silent killer and poses a serious threat to human health.

In his message on World No Tobacco Day, Murad Ali Shah said protecting the younger generation from tobacco is a shared responsibility. He urged people to stay away from smoking for the creation of a healthy society.

The Sindh chief minister said the government is making anti-tobacco awareness campaigns more effective and that students in educational institutions are being informed about the harmful effects of tobacco use. He added that the provincial government is ensuring enforcement of laws against smoking in public places.

Murad Ali Shah said smoking is not merely a habit but the root cause of many life-threatening diseases. He said tobacco contributes to heart disease, lung ailments and other serious health conditions.

He said protecting people from tobacco-related harm and providing a healthy, smoke-free environment remains the government’s mission. Under the vision of a healthy Sindh, he said, sports and other positive activities are being promoted.

The chief minister said a tobacco-free, healthy and safe environment must be secured for future generations. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting healthy living and maintaining a united stance against tobacco use.