First tobacco cessation clinic launched at NIRM

The secretary of the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Faridullah Khan on Tuesday announced the establishment of the first Tobacco Cessation Clinic in the government sector here at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM).

“The healthcare of the people of Islamabad Capital Territory has always been of prime significance for CADD,” Faridullah stated while chairing the first orientation session of ‘Strengthening Tobacco Smoke-Free Islamabad Initiative’. The session was attended by stakeholders including representatives of WHO, The Union, The Network for Consumer Protection, and the Coalition for Tobacco Control.

Faridullah pointed out that Nicotine Replacement Drugs shall be included in the list of essential drugs. He also advised the Education and Social Welfare departments to engage youth in sports and other healthy activities to keep them away from cigarettes.

“Tobacco use is harming lives and damaging our economy due to labour lost in prime productive years, and expenditure on medicines for cancer and other deadly diseases caused by tobacco use,” Faridullah said.

Faridullah said CADD is blessed to have so many public service organisations under its fold. The Directorate General of Social Welfare, the Federal Directorate of Education, the Directorate General of Workers’ Education and others will incorporate tobacco control messages in their routine trainings for subordinate offices, schools, colleges and workers in various organisations based in Islamabad. “Working together, these organisations can create a big distinction in our efforts for making Islamabad, a tobacco-smoke free capital city,” he said.

Earlier, Shahzad Alam from WHO shared details of various tobacco control strategies being implemented worldwide. Dr. Fayyaz Ahmad, Director Medical Sciences, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, spoke about the scores of cancers caused by tobacco use. Project Director Dr. Minhaj-us-Siraj highlighted the planned activities towards creating awareness among public, law enforcement agencies, and the district administration at the ICT level.