ISLAMABAD – Ufone Tower is now among the 216 Tobacco-Smoke free public spaces in the capital. The Pakistani telecom company joined the initiative which is the brainchild of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Dr Nausheen Hamid, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services; Regulations & Coordination professed Ufone tower a tobacco-smoke free facility in a ceremony held here today. A letter of Intent was also signed between the Ministry and Ufone regarding the initiative.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Nausheen Hamid said, “The Government attaches the highest priority to the health sector of the country and is working on National Cancer Control Plan for which control of tobacco use is the most effective prevention strategy”.
Chief Officer Legal and Regulatory Affairs Ufone, Naveed Khalid Butt eulogized the efforts of the federal government towards prevention of health hazards especially related to controlling of Cancers and other lifestyle-related diseases. “We as a leading Pakistani company and a responsible corporate organization are honoured to be part of an initiative that places public health at the forefront by making workplaces tobacco-smoke free”, he said.
Dr Minhaj us Siraj, Project Director, Tobacco Smoke free Islamabad and Deputy DG Health, while speaking at the ceremony to announce Ufone Tower a smoke free facility, discussed the ill-effects of tobacco use as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, in line with theme of World Health Organization (WHO) i.e. Tobacco; a threat to Development. He emphasized on the development goals related to poverty, health, child education, gender equity, climate, life under the water, Peace and justice; being damaged due to the tobacco industry.
He highlighted the role of awareness among the population for implementing the tobacco control Laws and how preventive measures protect the health and environment.
A third party evaluation report, regarding Licensing of Tobacco Vendors through the campaign on making Islamabad a Smoke free zone, was launched in a local hotel last week. Smoke-Free Capital Project, Ministry of National Health Services; Regulations & Coordination will be completing the licensing of tobacco vendor by “World No Tobacco Day” 31st May, this year.
Tobacco use is a major cause of non-communicable diseases which include fifteen types of cancers. 160,000 Pakistan die every year due to illness caused by the use of tobacco products. In Pakistan, over 20 million population smokes tobacco which includes children and women.
