2.5 Crore Smokers
In a latest research report, it is very alarming that about twenty five million people in Pakistan are suffering from smoking and more than fifteen million are using snuff. It seems that one sixth of the total population is suffering from throat, lung and kidney diseases. According to health experts, it can lead to cancer of the same organs, while in total, every year, around three lakh people die directly or indirectly due to smoking in the country. Pakistan is one of the largest countries in the world in terms of population. Due to the high proportion of young people, this segment of the population is increasingly attracted to smoking and drugs, and all public places, including educational institutions, where smoking is prohibited by law.
There is a lack of enforcement by the relevant law enforcement agencies, while the law also says that cigarettes cannot be sold inside or within 50 meters of educational institutions. Thanks to strict government policies, although cigarette manufacturing has decreased at the local level, opportunists have thwarted all efforts by bringing imported cigarettes into the market, which are being sold everywhere openly or secretly.
Economists estimate the annual volume of this illegal and parallel economy to be three hundred billion rupees. Realizing the situation, the federal and provincial governments should review their policies to prevent smoking and other drugs under strict supervision and make laws effective and efficient. Any kind of delay should be avoided in making actionable which can produce clear and encouraging results.