| | Ministry ponders ban on smoking in buses Pajhwok Afghan News
05/18/2005
By Zarghona Salehi
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KABUL - The Transport Ministry has once again underlined the need for strictly implementing a ban on smoking in buses, arguing such a restriction will benefit passengers and the environment. But the Health Ministry, acknowledging the move as welcome and propitious, linked implementation of the ban on cigarette use in public transport to the ratification of an international convention, outlawing smoking in such places. Mohammed Ramazan Shafaq, director at the Transport Ministry, told Pajhwok Afghan News Wednesday smoking on city buses was banned many years ago. He added inspectors of the ministry were active even today to ensure the ban was enforced in letter and spirit. Meanwhile, Kabul citizens skeptically reacted to the claim and said they had never seen any inspectors restricting smoking on inter-city buses. They called for concrete governmental measures to prohibit cigarette use in public places. Dr. Abdul Fahim, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, viewed the ban as a good step aimed at minimizing health hazards associated with smoking and conserving the environment. "The Health Ministry can ban the use of cigarettes on buses after the international convention was ratified," he maintained. Researchers believe the governments should not allow cigarette commercials and impose a prohibitive tax on the import of tobacco products. Prof. Ahmad Nadir Aksir, director at Aliabad Hospital, stressed a ban alone was not enough; the import of cigarettes into the country too be halted. He contended a halt to cigarette imports would drive up prices, which in turn would force many addicts to quit smoking and prompt others to cut down on it. According to his information, five million people die annually around the world due to smoking-linked diseases. Aksir could not put a figure on smoking addicts in Afghanistan but Internet information reveals trillions of filters are used in the world annually and billions of cigarettes lighted simultaneously near rivers, beaches, in gardens, parks, houses, etc. Dr. Aksir pointed out smokers were at a greater risk of suffering heart diseases, psychological disorders, breathing problems and lung, blood, skin cancers, etc. He advised all - especially pregnant women - to give up smoking, which also affected the child's health inside the mother's womb. Sami Ahmadi, who belongs to Mazar-i-Sharif, said: "After my house was set alight because of a cigarette but, I quit smoking. My decision came after I had smoked for 10 years." Qadir Khan (55), who has a breathing problem, remarked: "I smoked for 40 years and after suffering a heart attack, I stopped using cigarettes."
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