The government has imposed a complete ban on Sheesha smoking for commercial use in order to curb the dangerous effects of sheesha to health.
A complete restriction on the sale of such tobacco items in cafes and shops in all markets will be put into place according to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination.
He further added that the flavored tobacco would no longer be available in markets and no sheesha bars could be opened in hotels, markets or public areas.
The notification would be issued soon by the Ministry in accordance with Prohibition of smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance 2002.
Dr.Wasim Khawaja from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said that Sheesha was the flavored tobacco used in the smoking process using water pipes. It started when tobacco was soaked in fruit shavings like apples, bananas, grapes and strawberries.
Khawaja also mentioned that the frequency of puffing and lengthy smoking sessions causes smokers to absorb higher concentration than the toxins found in an average cigarette. The method of heating sheesha through charcoal increases health risks. The high levels of toxic compounds, chemicals, and heavy metals have been found to be the cause of lung, bladder and oral cancers.
A normal one-hour session of Sheesha smoking exposes the smoker to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single cigarette.
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