Call for Permanent Ban on Sale and Use of E-Cigarettes in Pakistan

According to a report by Pakistani media outlet The Nation on January 30th, the public health department in Peshawar city, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has called for a permanent ban on the sale and use of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette devices in the province. This move aims to safeguard public health and promote sustainable tobacco control.

Haroon Saleem, the Deputy Commissioner of the Peshawar Department of Health, hosted a seminar that garnered active participation from the Department of Health, Tobacco Control Center, government officials, healthcare experts, civil society organizations, media, and other stakeholders.

Participants unanimously agreed that comprehensive regulations should be implemented in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, permanently banning the sale and storage of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette devices. They demanded that all deputy commissioners in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province strictly enforce a complete prohibition on selling e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 21, and also prohibit the sale and storage of these products within a 50-meter radius of educational institutions.

Haroon Salem expressed his views, stating, "The regional government and provincial government remain strongly committed to protecting our citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine. We will take all necessary actions to enforce this ban and safeguard public health.

Coordinator Sana Ahmad stressed the importance of comprehensive legislation. "It is crucial to develop laws that encompass the views of all stakeholders. This will ensure that the laws we implement are effective, inclusive, and dedicated to the well-being of our community.

Public health expert Mian Ateeq, representing the Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control, added that the ban on e-cigarettes and e-cigarette devices is a crucial step towards public health safety.