Implementing tobacco laws: ITP to coordinate with authorities

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) will completely co-ordinate with the authorities to ensure implementation on tobacco control laws through educating road users and effectively conducting checking in public transport, said Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Dr Moeen Masood, here on Friday.
He was talking to media men here at the inaugural of awareness campaign launched by Tobacco Control Cell, Ministry of Health and Islamabad Traffic Police about the hazards of tobacco use. During this awareness campaign kicked off formally on Friday from Kalsoom Plaza Chow, SSP Traffic, senior officials from Tobacco Control Cell, volunteers from The Network from Consumer Protection and PANAH, distributed information material to the vehicles passing through Jinnah Avenue.
The SSP (Traffic) said that public will be given awareness on ban of tobacco use in public transport as well as public places and hazards of tobacco use, by making announcements by Education Wing and Radio FM 92.4 of Islamabad Traffic Police. It is to mention that series of activities in connection with anti-tobacco day will be summed up on May 31 in a grand seminar arranged by Tobacco Control Cell. Public will be also given awareness on ban of tobacco use in public transport and public places and hazards of tobacco use, by making announcements by Education Wing and Radio FM 92.4 of Islamabad Traffic Police.
The SSP said that according to Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non Smokers Health Ordinance, 2002, smoking is illegal in public places and public transport. He said that there is prohibition of sale of cigarettes and 'sheesha' to minors and young people under 18 years of age. A penalty from Rs 1,000 to 100,000 can be imposed on smoking at public places and public transport, he added.
Talking to media persons, Dr Minhaj us Siraj, Assistant Director General, Tobacco Control Cell said "Tobacco Control Cell, Ministry of Health is taking initiative of declaring Islamabad as Smoke-Free City in the coming World No-Tobacco Day (May 31). The cell is closely working with district administration and other district departments to enforce tobacco control laws in the city and making it completely tobacco-free".
The inaugural ceremony was participated by Ms Aisha Jameel Programme Manager ITP Radio FM 92.4, Mahfooz Kiani In-charge ITP Education Team. Dr Shahid Mahmood Kazi, Aftab Ahmad from Tobacco Control Cell, Dr Fouad Aslam, from The Union, Arshad Ghumman from PANAH, Waheed Hussain from The Network for Consumer Protection and journalists from electronic and print media.