Sir: A significant portion of the population of Pakistan continues to smoke. This is despite the knowledge and data the world has on the affects smoking has on health. Smoking tobacco can cause a variety of cancers, emphysema and damage to the nervous system. It is estimated that seven percent of deaths every year are a direct consequence of smoking.
Smoking also contributes to the world’s garbage and pollution problem since cigarette filters are not bio-degradable. Used cigarette filters make up a large chunk of the pollution in the world’s oceans and beaches.
I believe the government should ban tobacco and all other addictive substances.
RABIA KHAN
Karachi
Published in Daily Times, April 30th 2018.