Health levy on tobacco products to help protect children's rights: experts.

ISLAMABAD -- Health activists on Monday urged the government to impose a health levy on tobacco products to safeguard the fundamental rights of children.

They were attending an event organised by the Society for Protection of Rights of the Child (Sparc) in connection with Universal Children Day.

Former Technical Head of Health Ministry's Tobacco Control Cell Dr Ziauddin Islam appreciated the participation of children on the occasion. He mentioned that children were more affected by the exposure to tobacco as these products are inexpensive and easily available to them.

'According to statistics, 10.7pc of Pakistani youth, including 6.6pc girls and 13.3pc boys, consume tobacco products due to cheap prices of tobacco,' he said.

Member Board of Directors Sparc Khalida Ahmed mentioned that nearly half, 45pc of our population - is children under the age of 18 years.

'Child rights are recognised and protected under the global commitments made by Pakistan such as UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Sustainable Development...