ISLAMABAD: Pakistan National Heart Association (Panah) has asked the electronic media regulator to restrict media coverage of former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Panah requested because he smokes cigars at press conferences and influences young people.
It also asked Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ban reportage of smokers.
Panah General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman wrote that the association has been fighting cardiovascular disorders since 1984.
“This association also helped victims of natural disasters and poor patients get expensive cardiac investigations, angioplasty, stents, and cardiac surgery at various hospitals. Our patron-in-chief is the Pakistani president. Panah works closely with policymakers to advocate for policies. Said policies are to reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and many other fatal diseases,” it stated. Adding that Panah has been running an aggressive campaign against tobacco use in the country. Said campaign is part of the Heart Disease Prevention programme. As tobacco is one of the leading causes of heart and other fatal diseases.
“I have been the federal minister of Pakistan several times,” Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. A prominent Pakistani politician, always waves his cigar and pack during media interviews, according to the letter.
We know kids follow their elders, especially famous people. Our youthful generation may think that Sheikh Rashid Ahmed became federal minister because he waved the cigar and that smoking is a sign of personality and that they should start smoking.
“1,200 children start smoking daily in Pakistan,” it said.
Mr. Ghumman told Dawn that media outlets that showed smokers may be sued under Pakistan’s tobacco control regulations.
“We also request the media to show responsibility and not cover people smoking as it gives the young generation a wrong impression,” he said.
