KP Government to accelerate tobacco control
Health Reporter
PESHAWAR: The Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco Control Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday organized a meeting with Dr Abid Jameel, Advisor to Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Health, to explore avenues of enhancing and strengthening government-CSO partnership for tobacco control.
Addressing the participants, the advisor to CM expressed the commitment to strengthen the structured framework about tobacco control and appreciated the efforts of CSOs for their support to the government.
During the meeting, the members of the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco Control Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presented policy recommendations to the advisor to CM on viable solutions and strategies for tobacco control and a smoke-free environment in the province.
The advisor to CM was briefed about the current tobacco use trends. The discussion highlighted the priority areas for immediate policy reforms to benefit public health at large. The advisor to CM acknowledged the severity of the issue and expressed a strong commitment to address it.
“Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is extremely concerned about the tobacco epidemic as it is a major public health challenge. We will work tirelessly to implement evidence-based policies and programs that reduce tobacco use, prevent addiction, and save lives. We owe it to our citizens to create a healthier, more vibrant future, and I am confident that, together, we can achieve this goal,” said Dr Abid Jameel, Advisor to Caretaker Chief Minister.
Abid Ullah Kakakhel, Special Secretary Health stated, “The Health Department is dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of society and tobacco control is an integral part of that mandate. We welcome and look forward to collaborate with non-governmental organizations to promote comprehensive tobacco control strategies for a smoke-free environment in KP.”
Qamar Naseem, Program Manager, Blue Veins, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the advisor to CM and praised his commitment to public health. “We are encouraged by the Health Department’s strong commitment to control the tobacco epidemic and appreciate the remarkable work by Tobacco Control Cell with minimal resources,” he added.
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