LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday has ordered strict implementation of smoking ban in public offices and education institutes. Hearing a petition seeking strict implementation of anti-smoking laws, Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi had passed strict orders over the issue. Peitioner’s counsel, Ashar Siddique, said that laws banning smoking in public offices and education institutions were not being properly implemented and people were, as a reason, becoming victims to passive smoking. He also added that smoking in public places also increases health risks not only for smokers but for the passers-by too. Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar informed the Senate in April that Pakistan was ranked 54th amongst 84 countries with high prevalence of tobacco smoking.