Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the provincial government is taking measures to ensure the enforcement of a ban on smoking in educational institutions. She reiterated in her message on World No Tobacco Day that smoking in government offices, transport and other public places is a punishable offence and strict implementation of the law would be ensured.

She said all possible steps would be taken to discourage smoking and vaping among youth. Raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco was not only the government’s responsibility but also a social obligation, she added.

Meanwhile, General Cadre Doctors Association President Dr Masood Sheikh said while addressing a workshop that around 80 per cent of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.

World No Tobacco Day is marked on May 31.

Dr Sheikh said e-cigarette use can increase conventional cigarette uptake, particularly among non-smoking youth.

According to a statement, new data has revealed that at least 40 million children aged 13–15 globally report current use of at least one tobacco product. Of these, 20 million smoke cigarettes and 10 million smokeless tobacco.

Dr Asad Abbas Shah said all forms of tobacco use are harmful, and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco.

Dr Javaid Mumtaz said the economic costs of tobacco use include expenses on treating the diseases caused by the practice as well as the human capital lost to attributable morbidity and mortality.