Pakistan: Punjab province strengthens measures to combat smoking

The Punjab government has announced strict enforcement of the Smoking Ban Ordinance 2002 across the province, including Rawalpindi.[1], and the adoption of other measures to combat smoking. Tobacco retailers will have to display visible warnings, will not be able to sell tobacco near schools, and enforcement of the regulations will be strengthened, mobilizing the entire population with, for example, an application to report violations. Offenders are liable to variable fines in the event of a violation and maximum fines in the event of a repeat offense.

Respect for smoke-free areas, warnings and protection of the surroundings of educational establishments

A meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner for Coordination, Syed Nazrat Ali, outlined concrete measures for implementing this order. Representatives from the health, education, and law enforcement departments received specific instructions on the actions to be taken. Dr. Hassan Tariq, Deputy Commissioner General, Nazia, Deputy Director of Excise and Taxation, and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Tobacco Control were present at the meeting, which was held at the Commissioner's office in Rawalpindi.

The smoking ban, already in force in all workplaces, public places and public transport since the Smoking Ban and Protection of Non-Smokers Ordinance of 2002, and strengthened in 2005 when Pakistan became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), will now be strictly enforced in schools, offices, hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants and public transport.

In addition, tobacco retailers are now required to display visible warnings, and the sale of tobacco products within 50 meters of schools is strictly prohibited. Regular inspections and checks will be carried out to ensure compliance.[2]Violations of this rule will result in fines ranging from 5,000 rupees (approximately €16) to 100,000 rupees (approximately €321).

Priority is given to public health and youth

Nazrat Ali stressed that the designated officers will have the authority to impose fines, close businesses and confiscate non-compliant products. Strict measures are essential to protect the health of our fellow citizens, especially the younger generations. " he said, recalling that more than 160,000 premature annual deaths in the country are linked to diseases caused by tobacco, including lung and throat cancers, but also heart and lung diseases.[3]According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 19.1% of Pakistani adults use tobacco products, with a higher prevalence among men (31.8%) than women (5.8%).[4].

The provincial government has also asked public institutions, particularly those under the Ministry of Education, to appoint referents and trainers to oversee anti-tobacco efforts.

Finally, citizens are encouraged to report violations through the "Smoke-Free Pakistan" mobile app, as part of a broader initiative to make Punjab a tobacco-free province.

This commitment by Pakistan, and particularly Punjab, to enforce its laws, particularly the smoking ban, comes at a time when the country is also facing significant tax fraud on cigarettes detrimental to public healthWith a score of 53 out of 100 on the tobacco industry interference index, it ranks among the countries where the independence of anti-tobacco health policies from the tobacco lobby is still very improvable.[5].

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[1]News Desk, Punjab imposes strict smoking ban in public spaces with hefty fines, Pakistan Today, published April 10, 2025, accessed April 11, 2025

[2]MM News, Strict ban on smoking in public places imposed in THIS province, published April 10, 2025, accessed April 11, 2025

[3]Hashmi Faizan, Task Force Set Up For Tobacco Control, Urdupoint, published on April 10, 2025, accessed on April 11, 2025

[4]Tobacco-free generation, Pakistan: Lack of awareness and high consumption of heated tobacco among adults, published July 10, 2024, accessed April 11, 2025

[5]Assunta M., Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023, Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), Bangkok, Thailand, published November 2023, accessed April 11, 2025

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