Sir: Research conducted in many western countries has shown that if universities and colleges are made smoke free, it can help in decreasing the prevalence of smoking in the country.
A law was passed in the country in 2002 by the federal cabinet in which smoking was banned at all educational institutions. The law also prohibited the sale of tobacco products within the proximity of 50 metres of all educational institutions. Unfortunately no serious attempt was later made to implement this law in our universities.
A survey done recently by an NGO working for tobacco control showed that apart from one or two universities, cigarettes and tobacco products are being openly sold in all other universities of the country. There is a need to educate the youngsters on a healthy lifestyle. I request the ministry of education to help health professionals in organising such seminars at our educational institutions. Making universities smoke free will go a long way not only in decreasing tobacco related deaths in the country but it will also save billions of rupees which we spend every day on the treatment of diseases caused by tobacco.
FABIHA RASHEED
Karachi