KP Governor Supports Call Against E-cigarettes

APP
Peshawar: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Haji Ghulam Ali, has extended support to the Civil Society’s call to prohibit e-cigarettes and vaping.
This endorsement comes in light of the recognized public health risks and the rising prevalence of modern tobacco product use among the youth. He expressed these views while talking with a delegation of civil society in Peshawar on Thursday.
Qamar Naseem said in our country, these products are available very easily in markets, and deceiving slogans of harm reduction or `Quit smoking and start vaping’ are attracting a large number of people towards the consumption of smokeless tobacco.
Qamar said that due to the lack of the latest legislation in the country, the existing laws on tobacco control cannot be enforced on the use or sale of modern smokeless tobacco products, whose use is increasing due to their easy availability in markets and advertisements in the media.
The delegation members requested from the governor measures to impose a ban on vapes and all forms of e-cigarettes. In this regard, they also suggested legislation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Responding to the points, the Governor extended his support for the imposition of a ban on these products with the purpose of protecting public health, especially youth.
The governor also requested that the Chief Secretary take a review of the demands made by civil society members and issue directives for the drafting of legislation to cover these new products of tobacco use.
He said the increasing use of tobacco among people is a serious issue, and it is the responsibility of the government to take notice and take action for the protection of the masses from its detrimental impacts.