Pakistan extends its ban of tobacco advertising

The Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 72(I)/2020 approved on 30 January 2020 bans online advertising of tobacco products, as well as point of sale advertising and display of tobacco products. This regulation completes and expands on the previous Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance from 2002, which included a ban on advertising of tobacco products in print and electronic media.

These measures will protect children from the aggressive tactics of the tobacco industry to capture new consumers. Tobacco products will not be allowed to appear near cash counters, nor on power walls, billboards or posters inside or outside shops or any other place. The electronic media shall no longer display tobacco products and the ban also covers all cinemas and theaters. Individual targeting through social media or personal mails will also be prohibited. The new law also covers the prohibition of sponsorship of events by the tobacco industry

Through this legislation, the Ministry of Health aims to reduce the diseases and mortality caused by the use of tobacco products.

For more information, please contact Minhaj us Siraj, Deputy Director General (Health) Project Director, Tobacco Smoke Free Cities, Ministry of National Health Services, Pakistan (e-mail: minhaj@tsfc.gov.pk).