GOALS

Our goal is to urge the government to introduce reforms that would protect our children from deadly cigarettes.

In 2015 the size of PHW was noted to be increased to 85% of the pack. However, under tobacco industry pressure, the government withdrew its decision and instead issued a new notification in 2017 announcing only a 60% PHW, which is currently being implemented.

We aim to engage the Ministry of Health to consider and increase the PHW size to 85% of the cigarette pack.

CONTEXT

PAKISTAN IS A SIGNATORY OF WHO’s FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL

  • Pakistan has a high prevalence of tobacco usage which in effect signifies a high mortality rate.
  • Many lapses still exist in implementation of laws due to the power excercised by the tobacco conglomerates.
  • What’s worrisome is that a huge percentage of smokers are kids. In various other cases, second-hand becomes a health threat.
  • A key step in ensuring a healthier future for our generation is by restricting the access to tobacco products. However, tobacco companies have also carefully identified this and are continually on the lookout for “replacement smokers”.
  • Therefore, advocacy campaigns that integrate both the grassroots and grasstops can be instrumental in successfully countering tobacco industry marketing.