The Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, emphasized that smoking is not just an addiction but a deadly threat to human lives globally. Speaking at an event aimed at educating children about the harmful effects of smoking, he compared it to environmental destruction, stating that smoking poses a significant danger to human life.
Solangi raised crucial questions about the smoking habit, labeling it as a disease claiming one life every six seconds, with one in ten individuals succumbing to its effects. Highlighting the devastating impact, he noted that 100 million people lost their lives due to smoking in the 20th century, with an annual toll of five million deaths worldwide.
Expressing concern, Solangi warned that if the current trend persists, the annual death toll from smoking could escalate from five to eight million by 2030. He applauded those actively combating smoking, referring to them as “anti-smoking heroes.”
Solangi highlighted the need to address tobacco smoking alongside other harmful substances, dispelling the historical tendency to downplay its risks due to business interests. He advocated for increased taxes on the tobacco industry as a measure to discourage smoking, particularly among the younger generation.
Comparing the impact to climate change, Solangi highlighted how tobacco adversely affects daily lives and contributes to rising healthcare costs. He pledged continued support for volunteers engaged in the fight against smoking.
