ISLAMABAD: Spokesperson to the President of Pakistan Murtaza Solangi on Wednesday called for increasing graphic health warnings on cigarette packs to at least 85 per cent and imposing a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) to protect young people from tobacco-related harms.
He was addressing as chief guest a session organised by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) titled “Strengthening TAPS Regulations and Increasing Graphic Health Warnings on Cigarette Packs”.
Mr Solangi said tobacco continued to claim lives and warned that without stronger measures, particularly a ban on TAPS and an increase in the size of graphic health warnings (GHWs), more lives would be lost.
He said tobacco killed more than eight million people globally every year. “If we want to build a tobacco-free generation, we must strengthen TAPS regulations and increase the coverage of graphic health warnings to at least 85 per cent,” he said.
Mr Solangi said such steps could reduce the appeal and visibility of tobacco products, particularly among young people, and help protect the health and wellbeing of present and future generations.
Member of the National Assembly Huma Akhtar Chughtai said young people were often exposed not only to direct advertising but also to indirect promotional strategies, including attractive packaging, event sponsorships and online content, which could make tobacco appear less harmful or even appealing.
She said Pakistan had made notable progress in tobacco control but much more remained to be done. She added that despite existing regulations, different forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship remained visible and needed to be comprehensively addressed.
Ms Chughtai appreciated SPARC’s efforts and expressed her support for strengthening TAPS regulations and expanding graphic health warnings to 85 per cent to better protect youth and future generations.
SPARC Programme Manager Dr Khalil Ahmad Dogar said promotional activities continued to influence consumer behaviour in subtle ways despite current restrictions. He said countries enforcing complete bans on all forms of TAPS had seen significant declines in tobacco consumption, particularly among children and youth.
Dr Dogar said Pakistan had made progress in tobacco control, but further action was required to remove existing gaps and ensure consistent enforcement. “The time has come for a total ban on all direct and indirect promotional means,” he said.
He also underlined that strong and regularly updated graphic health warnings were proven life-saving interventions that encouraged smokers to quit and discouraged non-smokers from initiating tobacco use.
Anees Sukhera, Country Representative of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), said tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship continued to influence young people. He said Pakistan could protect its youth by closing gaps in TAPS regulations and enforcement and by strengthening graphic health warnings to cover 85 per cent of cigarette packs.
“Strengthening these measures can help create a safer and healthier environment for youth and contribute to a tobacco-free future for the present and upcoming generations,” he said.
Prof Dr Matiur Rahman, Dean of Allied Health Sciences, Lung Diseases and Tobacco Control at the Health Services Academy, said tobacco affected not only citizens’ health but also placed a substantial burden on the healthcare system and the economy.
“As we gather to acknowledge tobacco control measures, our shared responsibility is to foster a culture that prioritises health, wellbeing and the prosperity of our nation,” he said.
The session was attended by key stakeholders, including Sajjad Ahmed, Director General Operations Broadcast at PEMRA; Dr Waqar, Director Prime Minister’s Youth Programme; Muhammad Aftab Ahmad from the Tobacco Control Cell; decision-makers, government officials, journalists, civil society members, academics, media professionals and youth ambassadors.
The discussion focused on implementing graphic health warnings covering 85 per cent of cigarette packs and enforcing tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship regulations to protect current and future generations from tobacco-related harms.
