Pakistan: tobacco shelves closed

Although Pakistan signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCCLAT) of the World Health Organization (WHO) - under which it is politically committed to containing tobacco consumption in the country - its compliance remains quite slow. However, in early March, the Ministry of National Health Services adopted under-the-counter sales in points of sale, which is characterized by a ban on linear packets. In the decree[1] published in the Official Gazette of Pakistan, the government has made strict provisions for tobacco manufacturing companies and retailers selling cigarettes and other tobacco products. The decree states that " Tobacco products may not be displayed or visible inside or outside a point of sale, including a mobile or fixed point of sale. Street vendors are also prohibited » Tobacco packets can therefore no longer be visible and even less promoted, broadening the scope of the advertising ban in force.[2]. ©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] Decree not available to date on the website of the Official Gazette of Pakistan https://dailytimes.com.pk/570428/health-ministry-imposes-ban-on-display-of-cigarettes-at-shops/ [2]https://untobaccocontrol.org/impldb/wp-content/uploads/Pakistan_2018_report.pdf   ©National Committee Against Smoking |