Islamabad:(Nosheen)The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) has expressed serious concerns over the Senate’s approval of legislation to bring new heated tobacco products within the legal and regulatory framework without adequate consultation with health experts and public health organizations.
PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman said PANAH repeatedly requested the Senate Standing Committee on Health to provide an opportunity to present scientific evidence regarding the potential health risks of emerging tobacco products. Despite writing to the Senate Chairman and members of the committee, PANAH and other public health stakeholders were not formally invited to brief the committee before the legislation was approved.
PANAH stressed that policies concerning tobacco and nicotine products should be based on independent scientific evidence and public health protection. It called for meaningful consultation with doctors, medical organizations, public health experts and civil society in future tobacco-related legislation.
“Listening to health experts when legislation concerns public health is an essential part of responsible lawmaking,” Sana Ullah Ghumman said.