PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THIS POST.

AS OF MAY 16th THERE HAVE BEEN 19,543 REPORTED DEATHS IN PAKISTAN FROM COVID-19 SINCE MARCH 2020. NOW NOTICE IN THIS ARTICLE IT SAYS 118,000 DIE EVERY YEAR FROM TOBACCO USE. THE DIFFERENCE IS STAGGERING, AND SO IS THE RESPONSE TO EACH SITUATION.

WITH COVID THERE ARE ALL TYPES OF SHUTDOWNS AND SOP’s AND DEMANDS FOR TAKING THE VACCINE. BUT THE TOBACCO ISSUE WHICH IS ALMOST FIVE TIMES DEADLY, REMAINS LEGAL AND HASN’T CAUSED ANY LOCKDOWN, OR SOCIAL DISTANCING, ETC.

THIS BEGS THE QUESTION AS TO WHY THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN WHICH TELLS US TO STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE BECAUSE OF COVID DOES NOTHING REGARDING TOBACCO USE. THIS INCLUDES THE ULAMA WHO MANY WHILE ADVOCATING ADHERING TO PROTOCOLS MANY DID THIS WHILE HAVING TOBACCO IN THEIR MOUTHS.

CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN WHY IT IS LIKE THIS? THE LINK FOR THE ARTICLE IS BELOW, I DIDN’T PASTE ALL OF IT BELOW THE PICTURE, THOSE THAT WANT TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE SHOULD ACCESS THE LINK BELOW.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/348809-pakistans-fight-against-tobacco-is-getting-harder

Pakistan made a commitment in 2005, when it signed the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), to reduce tobacco consumption and ensure the right of people to the highest standards of health.

At the moment, 19.1% of people, over the age of 15 years, in the country use tobacco in any form as per the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an American non-profit organization that advocates for reducing tobacco consumption.

Not only that the Campaign calculates that tobacco kills 118,000 people in Pakistan every year.

Separately, smoking-related illness cost the country more than Rs615 billion per annum, according to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.

In order to cut smoking, Pakistan has placed a complete ban on advertisements of tobacco and tobacco-related products. The sale of loose cigarettes is prohibited as well as the display of banners and placards of cigarette brands at the point of sale. Also, selling cigarettes near an educational institution is outlawed.

Yet, enforcement is weak. The sale of loose cigarettes is quite common especially to young people, some of whom may be underage.