Sania Ehsan: MAKING SMOKING FASHIONABLE AGAIN - STOP CIGARETTE ...

Sania Ehsan: MAKING SMOKING FASHIONABLE AGAIN - STOP CIGARETTE ...: ILLEGAL ADVERTISEMENT OF CIGARETTES BY PHILIPS MORRIS PAKISTAN According to various news items, Philip Morris International has started an...

MAKING SMOKING FASHIONABLE AGAIN - STOP CIGARETTE ADS OF MARLBORO

ILLEGAL ADVERTISEMENT OF CIGARETTES BY PHILIPS MORRIS PAKISTAN

According to various news items, Philip Morris International has started an advertisement campaign in the print media for its cigarette brand Marlboro. This advertisement campaign is clear violation of government rules, regulations and guidelines.

The Government of Pakistan since 2003 had outlawed such open advertisement of cigarettes through print and electronic media. The law states that “tobacco advertising is prohibited in publications intended for young people and tobacco Ads in the press will not be more than one square inch (with 20% of this covered with a health warning).” In short, the law practically prohibits any advertisement of cigarettes through print media of any sort. 

No one dared to flout the rules and regulations as long as vigilant control of the now abolished federal Ministry of Health was there and a dedicated tobacco control cell that once existed with a clear mandate against tobacco in the country. Now matters related to FCTC and tobacco control are being managed by the Federal Health Services Academy under the Cabinet Division. Dr Asad Hafeez who heads the Federal Health Services Academy and in charge of Tobacco Control Cell.

According to news item published in Business Recorder Dr. Asad has confirmed that the matter had been investigated and strict action would be taken against Marlboro brand promotional campaign by PMP.

As a member of Anti-Tobacco Forum, we should raise our voices against cigarette advertisements targeting our youth.