Latest news with #PHAs
Express Tribune
29-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Punjab govt outlaws tobacco-use in parks
Listen to article The Punjab government has declared all public parks across the province smoke-free zones, banning the use, sale, and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products under the federal anti-tobacco law. A notification issued by the provincial housing department extends the enforcement of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance, 2002, to recreational parks. The ordinance prohibits smoking in public spaces and restricts the sale and advertisement of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes. Under the directive, all Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHAs) in Punjab have been instructed to install 'No smoking' signage within 10 days and begin strict enforcement. Offenders can face fines of up to Rs1,000 for a first violation, with harsher penalties for repeat offences. Park staff are empowered to eject violators, and designated enforcement officers may pursue legal action under Section 12 of the ordinance. Kiosks, food outlets, and vending stalls within parks are now barred from selling cigarettes, vapes, or other tobacco-related products. The new policy targets both traditional and emerging nicotine products, aiming to curb use especially among minors and urban youth. Health officials referred to the potential of the move to reduce second-hand smoke exposure and discourage smoking in family-oriented spaces. 'This is a welcome initiative,' said Amina Tariq, a mother of two visiting the Jilani Park. 'Parks should offer a clean and safe environment, not only for recreation but for promoting healthy habits in our children.' According to experts, tobacco use is responsible for an estimated 164,000 deaths annually in the country and costs the national economy roughly Rs700 billion each year in healthcare expenditures and productivity losses. The industry contributed Rs298 billion in tax revenue last year. Pakistan ratified the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004. Despite this, implementation remains inconsistent, particularly regarding taxation, marketing restrictions, and regulation of newer products. There are no federal regulations governing e-cigarette use even as usage surges. A 2023 multi-city survey found that 43 per cent of urban youth reported current e-cigarette use, with many introduced through influencer campaigns lacking health warnings or age restrictions.
Express Tribune
04-03-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Punjab launches 48,368-acre tree plantation drive under CM's initiative
Listen to article Punjab has launched an extensive tree plantation campaign under the "Chief Minister Plant for Pakistan" initiative, aiming to plant trees over 48,368 acres of land in the province. Senior Minister of Punjab, Maryam Aurangzeb, stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the target has been set to plant 42.5 million saplings. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the plan is to plant 7.361 million trees over 8,496 acres of land. For this purpose, 1.8 billion rupees have been allocated in the current fiscal year, with 1.085 billion rupees already spent, accounting for 60% of the total budget. She further mentioned that during the spring season, 5.966 million trees would be planted over 6,637 acres of land. Tree plantation is taking place at over 300 locations across Punjab, including Lahore, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Murree, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Muzaffargarh. The project includes a variety of trees, such as Moringa, Pine, Neem, Acacia, Shisham, Mustard, Bakaian, Semal, and Arjun, along with fruit-bearing trees. These will not only reduce air pollution but also enhance the environmental beauty of the region. The project, which is expected to cost a total of 8 billion rupees, aims to green forests, riverbanks, roadsides, the Pothohar region, Murree, and desert areas. To date, 2.73 million saplings have been planted on 4,000 acres of land, and the project is progressing rapidly. Maryam Aurangzeb emphasized that these efforts are not only crucial for environmental protection but will also lay the foundation for a greener and healthier Punjab for future generations. Meanwhile, the Punjab government is going to establish Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHA) at the district level to create a "Green Punjab." These authorities will focus on eradicating smog pollution, renovating old parks and constructing new ones, with a funding of billions of rupees. The PHAs will operate directly under the Punjab government, bypassing the Forest Department and district administrations. At present, PHAs function in ten divisional headquarters all over Punjab, including Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Gujrat. Their primary task is to maintain parks and build green belts to improve the environment and eliminate smog. According to the available records, there are three to four large and 40 to 70 small parks in other major cities of Punjab, which were first supervised by the Forest Department and now will be under the jurisdiction of the PHA. Furthermore, there are about 900 parks and more than 2,000 green belts and parking areas in Lahore alone.
