ISLAMABAD – The Ministry of National Health Services has declared the Pakistan Monument and the Lok Virsa Complex in Islamabad ‘tobacco smoke-free zones’ taking the number of such sites to 214 in the city.
Addressing a ceremony in this regard, NHS Minister Aamer Mehmood Kiani expressed on Monday that a healthy and smoke-free environment in public places, healthcare establishments, educational institutes and on public transport is our collective responsibility, legal obligation and moral duty.
The minister said Pakistan is among fifteen countries in the world with a heavy burden of tobacco-related ill health.
“It will be protecting our next generation from ill health and indulging risky behaviour for which smoking cigarettes is the first step,” Kiyani shared.
The lawmaker said the government has initiated the ‘Tobacco Smoke Free Capital initiative’ to protect the population from deadly diseases.
