Tobacco remains the single largest preventable cause of death in Pakistan. This was the message of today's seminar at Aga Khan University (AKU) on the occasion of National Quit Smoking Day that will be on the first day of Ramadan.

Health professionals strongly urged the public to give up tobacco use, starting from this Ramadan. They demanded strict enforcement of "Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smoker Ordinance of 2002" to protect public health from the ill effects of tobacco.

Citing research conducted at AKU, Prof. Javaid A. Khan, Consultant Chest Physician, AKU, said that 40% men and 8% women smoke on a regular basis in the country. He regretted that the tobacco companies in Pakistan have been given a free hand to promote a powerful addictive substance to the youth of the country. "As a result of aggressive marketing, an estimated 1500 children are taking up smoking everyday in the country," he added.

Dr.Irfan Vazeri, a cancer specialist from AKU, said that tobacco use in the form of "Gutka" and "Pan Masala" is on the rise in Pakistan, resulting in a higher incidence of head, neck and mouth cancers in the country. "Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in Pakistani males and over 90% of such cases are caused directly by the use of tobacco," he said.

Prof. Serajudaula of the Cancer Society and Head of the Pathology Dept. at Sindh Medical College, said that tobacco is responsible for almost 50% of all cancer cases in the country, yet smoking is still advertised on PTV as something pleasurable, cool, glamorous and adventurous. He demanded a comprehensive ban on all forms of tobacco advertising as well as the ban on sponsorship of sports and other entertainment events. "When Bangladesh and India can ban tobacco advertising on their TV channels why can't PTV do the same?" he inquired. "Is revenue from the tobacco ads more important than human lives?" he questioned.

Dr. Fayyaz Hussain, Associate Professor and Head of Pulmonary Section at AKU, quoting a recent UNDP study, mentioned that cigarette consumption per person per year is the highest in Pakistan when compared with the neighbouring South Asian countries. (Pakistan 629, Sri Lanka 392, Bangladesh 202 and India 119). Highlighting the effects of smoking on lungs, he said that smoking causes over 90% cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, commonly known as COPD. This respiratory disease is increasing in the country and the treatment of this disabling condition is very difficult. Most patients with this condition eventually end up with respiratory failure if smoking is not stopped. The single most important step to prevent ongoing damage to their lungs is to give up smoking.

Prof. Mohd. Ishaq from National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, warned the public of the serious health risk of tobacco use on heart and blood pressure. Farida Datto, a senior nurse from Aga Khan University Hospital, said that passive smoking is a serious health risk to a non-smoker. She demanded that all public places and public transport be made smoke free by strict enforcement of anti-tobacco ordinance.