ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has announced a strict enforcement of the Prohibition of Smoking Ordinance 2002 across the province, including Rawalpindi, with fines ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs100,000 for violations in public spaces.
Smoking will now be prohibited in educational institutions, government offices, hospitals, shopping malls, and public transport. The severity of fines will depend on the nature of the offence, with penalties as high as Rs100,000 for repeat violations.
A meeting chaired by Additional Commissioner Coordination Syed Nazrat Ali outlined measures for the ordinance’s implementation, with officials from relevant departments receiving briefings on enforcement actions.
It is now mandatory for cigarette retailers to display warning notices, and the sale of cigarettes within 50 meters of educational institutions is strictly prohibited. Violators face fines between Rs5,000 and Rs100,000.
Nazrat Ali emphasized that designated officers have the authority to impose fines, shut down shops, and confiscate goods for non-compliance. He further highlighted the importance of tobacco control, with a focus on protecting students from tobacco use.
The provincial government has also directed public institutions, particularly those under the School Education Department, to appoint focal persons and trainers to oversee tobacco control efforts. “Our priority is to safeguard students from the harmful effects of tobacco,” Nazrat Ali said, noting that tobacco-related diseases contribute to over 160,000 deaths annually.
Citizens can report violations via the Smoke-Free Pakistan mobile app, as regional efforts continue to make Punjab a smoke-free province.
