ISLAMABAD: With an aim to make the federal capital a smoke free city, the federal government on Monday declared Shakarparian and Pakistan Monument smoke free zones.
Minister for National Health Services Aamir Mehmood Kiani launched a campaign to discourage smoking in the capital.
Speaking to the media after launching the program “Strengthening Tobacco-Smoke Free Islamabad Initiative”, he said the initiative was aimed at making Islamabad a model city not only for the entire country but for the region and the world as well.
Highlighting how smoking plays havoc with the lives of people, the minister said about 1,60,000 people die every year in the country due to diseases stemming from smoking.
He lamented there is law which prohibits smoking at public places but it has never been enforced.
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Kiani said smoking will now be banned at all public places, including the premises of the National Assembly and Senate, adding that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has also been directed to promote healthy activities in the capital.
The minister regretted the health sector never remained a priority of previous governments but the present government is striving to bring improvement in the health sector.
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