The district administration, municipal groups and provincial departments of Rawalpindi to develop plans within two weeks to make Rawalpindi a smoke-free city.
The decision came following a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Shoaib Ali.
The deputy commissioner said smoking in public spaces, hotels, restaurants, and public vehicles is a legal crime and should be banned.
Traffic police and the transport authority should ensure smoke-free public vehicles, including buses. He stated the District Education Authority and director colleges should send data on stores within 50 meters of schools to the deputy commissioner’s office and organize speech and essay competitions to emphasize children’s inventiveness against cigarette smoking.
To take the initiative to the grassroots level, it has also been decided to give enforcement rights to Civic groups who will be given two weeks to enforce rules.
He asked police to crack down on tobacco sellers near schools and allow cigarette and tobacco sales in stores.
The district’s efforts will be expanded to the division. To prevent smoking violations, the smoke-free Pakistan app should require complaints.
Officials said that the Parks and Horticulture Authority and Social Welfare and Excise Department would prioritize anti-tobacco efforts.
This month, DHQ Hospital and Holy Family Hospital will open smoking-cessation clinics. In addition, the deputies’ complex will be smoke-free.
Aftab Ahmed informed the meeting of the ministry’s efforts so far.
He praised Rawalpindi’s efforts to ban smoking.
More than 160,000 Pakistanis die from smoking each year, and 1,200 youngsters ages 5 to 15 smoke frequently. He stated the government would ban arrivals and help smokers quit.
He said that the ministry and Rawalpindi district administration are working to end smoking and develop a smoke-free city.
