ISLAMABAD, May 30: An average 274 people die each day in the country from tobacco-related diseases, according to a survey carried out by a consumer protection agency.

In its report on the eve of World No-Tobacco Day being observed on Thursday, the agency says that more than 100,000 people die every year in Pakistan while 1,200 young children between the age group of 13 and 15 start smoking as a result of tobacco industry’s enticing and aggressive marketing of tobacco products.

The day is aimed at highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce its consumption. The Network in a statement on Wednesday urged the government to resist the influence of tobacco industry and focus on making domestic policies that complied with the framework convention of World Health Organisation.

“If the government fails to give priority to tobacco control, it will create a public health disaster by increasing tobacco-related deaths,” said Nadeem Iqbal, executive coordinator of ‘The Network’.

The Network’s survey, focusing on sale points and advertisement in Multan, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, shows that 95 per cent of shops selling cigarettes have become a hub of tobacco promotional activities. TheNetwork monitored 405 shops during this year.

A concerning and worrisome finding of the survey was that overwhelmingly 90 per cent of shops in the three cities were found selling cigarettes to minors in violation of Section 8 of Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers’ Health Ordinance 2002.

TheNetwork says that the Tobacco Vendors Act of 1958 obligates every tobacco seller to have a licence.  Ironically, the survey shows that in the federal capital, 83 per cent of tobacco sellers had no knowledge about the law whereas in Multan the percentage was 100. In Rawalpindi, 52 per cent claimed to have licence but failed to produce it.

Anti-smoking campaign: City Traffic police on Wednesday started campaign against smoking in public transport and private cars.

The campaign was started in connection with No Tobacco day being observed on Thursday.

City Traffic Police Officer (CTO) Syed Ishtiaq Hussain Shah arranged a walk to create awareness among the people about the harmful effects of smoking.

As part of the campaign to stop smoking, the city traffic police started the walk from it Race Course office to Roomi Park on Peshawar Road.

Talking to Dawn, CTO Shah said: “I have warned the public transport drivers to stop smoking while driving; otherwise, they would be treated according to law.”