KARACHI: Commissioner Karachi, Iftikhar Shalwani, recently launched the 'Smoke-Free Pakistan' mobile app to lodge complaints about the violation of tobacco-related laws.
The app’s launch ceremony was held at the Commissioner’s Office in Karachi. Commissioner Karachi, Iftikhar Shalwani, Deputy Commissioners, and senior officers of the police, rangers, health, education, excise, horticulture, and food departments were present on occasion.
The District Government Karachi is also launching a campaign for the implementation and enforcement of tobacco control laws in all six districts of the Karachi Division in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSR&C), Islamabad.
The main focus of launching the drive is to protect non- smokers from second-hand smoke. All public places and public transport will be ensured to be smoke-free. This initiative is being started in collaboration with the NHSR&C Islamabad, with the objective of protecting the lives of 166,000 Pakistanis who die of tobacco-related diseases every year.
The Ministry of NHSR&C started the "Smoke-Free Cities” project in Islamabad. The model is being replicated in five major districts of Punjab and the KPK. Now, Karachi, with its population of over 20 million, will be a part of this cause to prevent death and economic loss owing to tobacco use.
Director, Tobacco Control, Ministry of NHSR&C, Dr Minhaj us Siraj, appreciated the commitment of the Commissioner Karachi and his team for joining hands for the ultimate goal of preventing diseases such as cancer and ensuring tobacco-free future generations.
-DN Report
Dr Muattar Hanif
The author is Editor at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at newsdesk@medicalnewsgroup.com.pk
