THIS is apropos of Asif Jah’s letter on the issue of smoking at public places (April 28). I had a similar experience at a famous fast food restaurant in Karachi the other day, where people were seen smoking inside the airconditioned restaurant in the presence of small children.

The same fast-food chain operates completely smoke-free outlets all over the world but it fails to implement the no-smoking policy in Pakistan.

Secondhand smoking is a proven risk factor for not only lung cancer and heart attacks but also for several other diseases. In most countries of the world, there is a complete ban on smoking at all indoor public places, including restaurants.

Experience to date demonstrates that clean indoor air laws protect non-smokers from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke toxins, contribute to a reduction in overall cigarette consumption, protect hospitality workers from adverse respiratory conditions, and are well accepted by the public.

For example, when smoking was banned in New York restaurants in 2001, within a year there was a drop in teenage smoking from 18pc to 8pc. The government must realise that implementation of a smoking ban at public places is the single most important measure that can help reduce the burden of tobacco-related diseases in the country.

Mr Jah’s is right in saying that our public is not only least informed about the dangers of smoking, but they are also not aware about the laws which prohibit smoking at public places. Our government often complains of lack of funds for public education on health. Through these columns I suggest to our finance minister to introduce Rs10 tax in the forthcoming budget on every cigarette pack sold in this country. The money thus generated should be used for a campaign on smoking and its hazards.

Prof Javaid Khan

National Alliance for Tobacco Control

Aga Khan University, Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2015

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