30 percent reduction in tobacco use in Pakistan likely by 2025: Dr. Samra.

KARACHI -- Director Tobacco Control, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSRC) Dr. Samra Mazhar has said that tobacco kills 438 Pakistani every day whereas around 5,000 Pakistanis were being admitted to hospitals every day because of tobacco use and it was a matter of grave concerns that 1200 Pakistani children between the ages of 6 and 15 years also begin smoking every day which was very alarming and requires collective efforts along with intense awareness campaigns at all levels. While delivering a presentation during her visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she added that the Ministry of Health has taken numerous initiatives, particularly the smoke-free cities initiative, which have yielded positive results and if current trends continue, the voluntary target of 30 percent reduction was likely to be achieved by Pakistan in 2025.

President KCCI Muhammad Idrees, Vice President KCCI Qazi Zahid Hussain, Chairman Health and Education Subcommittee Jawed Siddiq Mittiwala and KCCI Managing Committee Members along with MoNHSRC officials were also present on the occasion.

Appreciating the support and cooperation extended by Karachi Chamber, Dr. Samra informed that KCCI, after collaborating with Ministry of Health and supporting tobacco smoking free cities project, has become 538th tobacco free facility. She further advised KCCI to sign an MoU with Ministry of Health so that KCCI's most effective platform could be utilized for raising awareness and promoting other initiatives with a view to create a smoking-free society. She said that in order to make smoke free Karachi initiative successful, mega awareness campaigns have to be supported and the members of the business community must also be advised to follow tobacco control laws.

Highlighting some of the achievements, she particularly...

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