Government bans sale of loose cigarettes across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the federal cabinet approved a recommendation of the Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations, seeking a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes across the country.

Vendors across the country will not be allowed to sell cigarettes from open packets from now on, as per the decision made by the cabinet.

“The ministry of national health had been striving to put a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes for the last two years,” a statement by the health ministry said.

In December 2016, the Senate’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulation, and Coordination had recommended banning the sale of loose cigarettes by issuing a statutory regulatory order.

The committee further recommended banning the use of sheesha and several other tobacco items. The ministry said that strict measures need to be taken to control smoking in public/open areas.