CM calls tobacco a silent epidemic, urges people to quit smoking

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in her message on World No Tobacco Day, said that smoking could prove more dangerous than many fatal diseases and described tobacco use as a silent epidemic affecting public health, society and the economy. The chief minister said every puff of tobacco is a step towards a new disease, adding that smoking is not merely a habit but a self-destructive act against one’s own health, finances and social well-being. CM Maryam Nawaz said the Punjab government was taking measures to ensure a complete ban on smoking in schools, colleges and other educational institutions. She added that smoking in government offices, public transport and other public places is a punishable offence and strict implementation of the law would be ensured. She said protecting the younger generation from tobacco use remains a priority and that 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 collective social obligation, she added. The chief minister expressed concern over statistics showing that more than 250,000 deaths in the country are linked to tobacco use. She noted that smoking and vaping could be major contributors to heart attacks among young people. CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz urged citizens to provide their loved ones with a healthy, smoke-free environment and appealed to the public to quit smoking and adopt a healthier lifestyle from today onwards.