Peshawar, now Charasistan
Editorial
Peshawar, which was once used to call as ‘the city of flowers’, now has become Charasistan as almost every corner or area of the city can be seen where many people would be busy in smoking cigarettes, mostly filled with Charas, openly – without any fear of the police, or, any shame that the public is observing them.
It is much important to mention here that this kind of act is also a gross violation of the law, whereas “The Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance, 2002” clearly states that cigarette smoking at all public places, such as educational institutions, healthcare centers, restaurants, playgrounds, and recreational centers, is strictly prohibited.
Moreover, the violation of this law is a crime and there are a number of punishments and penalties for its violators. In this regard, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government under the PTI era also did some efforts to stop cigarette smoking at public places but unfortunately, no fruitful result came out, and as a result, now smokers are not only violating the mentioned law but also endangering the precious lives of non-smokers at their surroundings.
It is also a matter of big shame for the provincial government and the authorities concerned that still they could not control cigarette smoking at public places which is a serious threat to human lives as well as our environment. By this kind of smoking, the smokers are not only putting the lives of nearby people at great risk but also polluting the surrounding environment.
Therefore, it is high time for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and its relevant departments and agencies to take immediate notice of this vulnerable situation in the province, and plan an effective and sustainable strategy by taking action against the law violators to protect the precious human lives from the dangerous effects of tobacco smoking. Last but not the least, media and civil society should also play their due role by creating awareness in this regard to achieve the goal of a healthy and prosperous society.
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