“Children As Soft Targets Of The Tobacco Industry”
Human Development Foundation (HDF), Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) & Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) organized an awareness-raising rally on “Children as soft targets of the tobacco industry” at 1030 hours on Thursday, 17 January 2019 at D-Chowk Islamabad.
Addressing to protestors Zulfiqar Ali General Manager Program Services HDF, said the purpose of organizing the rally is to create awareness among children as soft targets of the tobacco industry.
He added the sale of cigarettes to minors and near educational institutions remains a constant worry in the country. Tobacco advertisements and youth-focused marketing tactics are one of the main tools of the Tobacco Industry to reach out to younger consumers. These tactics is increasing new tobacco consumers and generating maximum profit for the tobacco industry. He referred to the HDF recent research report Big Tobacco-Tiny Targets that around 1,500 youngsters starting smoking every day in the country, which is a very alarming situation. Further research explains that tobacco products displayed at tobacco sales points near schools at child eye level (01 Meter) within the capital territory. “Eye level is a buy level for children: Display of tobacco products was 95 percent on the tobacco sales points within the Islamabad. #tTobaccoControl #CTFK #HDFPK #iIncreaseTobaccoTax