Health officials, lawmakers and civil society groups in Islamabad have called for larger graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging and stricter rules on tobacco advertising, at a policy dialogue organised by the Human Development Foundation (HDF).

The multi-stakeholder dialogue reviewed Pakistan's rules on graphic health warnings (GHWs) and on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), and looked at how the regulations could be strengthened, including against promotion through digital and social media.

Warnings should be larger and rotated, speakers say

Participants discussed shortcomings in the size and rotation of the pictorial warnings now shown on tobacco packs, and considered international standards for making the health risks clearer to the public. Shazia Rizwan, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture, attended as chief guest and stressed that pictorial warnings should be made larger and rotated regularly so that the message does not lose its impact.

Dr Syeda Rashida Batool, District Health Officer Islamabad, took part as guest of honour. Aftab Ahmed, project manager at the National Tobacco Control Cell in the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, joined the session virtually. The director of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and representatives of the ministries of inter-provincial coordination and finance also took part.

Advertising rules under review

The session on advertising examined gaps in the current rules in light of Article 13 of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which covers tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Particular attention was given to the tobacco industry's growing use of digital and social media to promote its products, and to the possible effect on young people.

Speakers at the dialogue said effective implementation of the existing regulations, better public awareness and coordinated action between government departments were needed to discourage tobacco use and protect public health. The discussion also identified weaknesses in the present framework and reviewed international practice, with participants highlighting the role of the health ministry in supporting evidence-based tobacco control measures in Pakistan.