Group discussion suggests re-enactment of Tobacco Vendor Licensing in KP with sternness on accessibility

PESHAWAR:A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) regarding Tobacco Vendor Licensing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday has made a consensus to re-enact the law with emphasis on reducing accessibility and exposure of tobacco products forthwith.

The FGD was organized by Blue Veins, a non-governmental organization, to engage diverse stakeholders in discussion to gather comprehensive feedback, concerns, and recommendations regarding tobacco vendor licensing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

‘Based on the findings and recommendations of FGD, a detailed report and policy recommendations will be developed and submitted to relevant authorities to strengthen tobacco sales regulations, licensing requirements, license issuing, penalties for violations, etc,’ said Sana Ahmad, Programme Manager, Blue Veins.

In her welcome address, Sana apprised the participants about the efforts being made by Blue Veins and other organizations for implementation of Tobacco control laws in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

She said Blue Veins is providing technical suppor
t to government of KP for strengthening of Tobacco Control policy through implementation of Provincial Action Plan 2021.

Sana also informed about the measures for passage of new law to ban sale of e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products to underage youth and within the vicinity of the educational institutions.

She said the Tobacco Vendor Act of 1958 was repealed in Finance Bill of 1999 as a result of which there is no check on sale points of tobacco products in the province.

Sana also clarified that Tobacco control does not mean to eliminate tobacco industry, but tobacco control efforts are aimed at regulate the business and to protect people, especially vulnerable, from its harms.

During the discussion, the participants of Focus Group Discussion suggested for imposing restriction on accessibility of tobacco products through easy sale by every shopkeeper and vendors.

Some of the participants suggested for enforcement of `Franchise’ system for sale of tobacco product
s, restricting sale points in the city.

They were also of the view that proper taxation on franchise will serve as a good of revenue generation for government besides saving youth from exposure to tobacco products especially newer ones in shape of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.

A recommendation was also flouted for constituting of `Local Committee’ at community level for keeping a vigilance on sale of tobacco products by shops.

The committee members should warn shopkeepers that if laws were violated by selling open cigarettes and by selling to minors, locals will boycott from purchasing any products from them.

The participants also suggested for imposition of proper license fee on tobacco sellers and also impose strict fines in case of violation of laws restricting sale of tobacco products to youngsters and doing of business within the vicinity of educational institutions.

The participants also suggested for creating awareness about tobacco damages to health and in this connection, all the government d
epartments and civil society activists should take part.