Shahzad Rasheed
Stakeholders vows to declare Peshawar ‘smoke-free’ capital by trengthening effective compliance to 85% of existing policy measures around tobacco control.The commitment was expressed in a ‘Round Table Consultation’ organized by Blue Veins in collaboration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tobacco Control Cell, Directorate General of Health Services.
The consultation was organized on proposed Action Plan for sustainable Tobacco Control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to facilitate implementation and integration of KP Tobacco Control Roadmap 2021 developed by the Health Department.
The Action Plan is intended to assist different government departments, institutions, policymakers, provincial and district authorities, and other relevant agencies in furthering the implementation of the Provincial Roadmap on Tobacco Control and sustainable tobacco control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing the consultation MPA Rabia Basri, Member provincial Assembly and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly said, “The Provincial Action Plan is
anticipated to promote coordinated actions by government and non-government institutions for sustainable tobacco control measures. Successful implementation is dependent on effective
partnerships and collaboration between all stakeholders and the community.”
Additional Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights and Relief Peshawar, Mr. Imran Khan said, “District Government is proactively engaged to improve compliance to tobacco-related laws and policies by regular monitoring. We are committed to further the compliance through targeted public campaigns and we hope that we will be able to declare Peshawar a tobacco-free Capital.”
Dr. Nek Dad Afridi, Director Public Health, Directorate General of Health Services Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said, “Reduction in smoking prevalence is one of the most important public health measures that should
be implemented to improve the health of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s population of 35.53 million.”
“While it will take time to alter the perceptions of the population regarding smoking, as this behavior is very much socially accepted, raising awareness of and informing the public about the negative consequences of smoking is an important prerequisite for progress in other aspects of tobacco control.”
Ajmal Shah, Project Coordinator Tobacco Control Cell Health Department said, “The Government of Pakistan, in respect of ratification of WHO’ Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has already undertaken a series of actions in the field of tobacco prevention and control. The most
important from KP government establishment of Tobacco Control Cell (TCC) in 2013 and a adoption of provincial Road Map for Tobacco Control.”
Qamar Naseem, Program Manager Blue Veins said, “Delivering a comprehensive tobacco control strategy requires action in a variety of settings. Key settings for tobacco control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
include workplaces, schools, media, the built environment, health services (particularly mental health services), the hospitality industry, prisons, and others.”