Smoking in public spaces to be banned in Lahore

District authorities plan on turning Lahore into a ‘smoke-free city’ in an attempt to control passive smoking The intention will be to ban smoking in all public spaces like parks, marriage halls, and public transport with the help of the Ministry of Religious Affairs who will direct ulemas and prayer leaders to discourage smoking in Friday sermons. In addition, sale of cigarettes within 50 metres of any educational institutions will be prohibited as well and anti-smoking banners will be put up on the gates of said institutes across the city. The ‘tobacco smoke free city’ plan also intends to form a special task force to enforce the ban, and a Tobacco Control Cell will be established in the office of Deputy Commissioner Lahore. The meeting held at the DC’s office pertaining to this plan also suggested reinforcing the Punjab Tobacco Vendor Act 1958 to regularise the sale of tobacco in the city. This will ensure that event organisers submit an affidavit while taking NOCs for hosting events in public spaces like halls and marquees to affirm they will be smoke free. Read more from ProperGaanda: Is The Government Covering Up Polio Outbreaks?