Police told to name officer for anti-tobacco awareness drive.

RAWALPINDI -- The district administration has asked the city police officer (CPO) to appoint an officer, not below the rank of an SP, for launching awareness campaigns on hazards of tobacco use and training of trainers in police stations.

The district administration has established a Tobacco Control Cell (TCC) at the deputy commissioner office to make Rawalpindi a tobacco smoke free city through awareness campaigns and enforcement of the tobacco control laws.

The cell was established on the request of the Ministry of National Health Services to implement Nonsmokers' Health Ordinance 2002.

Recently, violations of tobacco control laws have been observed at public places, district departments, public service vehicles, food outlets besides sale of loose cigarettes, packets with no pictorial health warnings and sale of tobacco without licences.

Proper legislation and its effective implementation through relevant stakeholders are imperative for tobacco control.

Currently, the Punjab Tobacco Vendor Act 1958, Cigarette Printing of Warning Ordinance 1979 and Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Nonsmoker's Healthy Ordinance...