The federal government banned Sheesha smoking across Pakistan on Tuesday. The government of Pakistan has already put a hold and ban on the sales of sheesha public spaces, restaurants, and hotels. Now, people or brands cannot import sheesha ingredients or tools.
Opening new sheesha cafes are also banned across Pakistani. The news circulating states that a Health Ministry source confirmed the news and said the new ban will be implemented strictly. After the amendment is made, an official order on sheesha smoking will be issued very soon.
The government of Pakistan banned the import of tobacco for sheesha use in 2016. Islamabad High Court has already directed the local administration to close all sheesha cafes immediately. The orders to close all sheesha cafes in the federal capital are already underway and a report has been asked to be generated in this regard and shared with Islamabad High Court.
Due to the latest order to sheesha smoking banned in Pakistan, the Anti-Narcotics Force has been mobilized to crack down on all sheesha cafes and seal them if they don’t close their establishments soon.
Health Risks of Sheesha Smoking
Smoking shisha, also known as hookah or waterpipe, poses many health risks similar to those of cigarette smoking. These include an increased risk of lung cancer, respiratory illness, and heart disease. The smoke from a shisha pipe contains high levels of toxic compounds, including carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals.
Additionally, the sharing of mouthpieces can lead to the spread of infectious diseases such as herpes and tuberculosis. Overall, it is not safe to smoke shisha, and can lead to serious health problems. These include:
- Lung cancer: The smoke from a shisha pipe contains high levels of cancer-causing chemicals, increasing the risk of lung cancer.
- Respiratory illness: The smoke from a shisha pipe can irritate the airways, leading to chronic bronchitis and lung infections.
- Heart disease: The carbon monoxide and other toxic compounds in shisha smoke can damage the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease.
- Oral cancer: The heat from the charcoal used to burn the tobacco in a shisha pipe can cause changes in the cells of the mouth and lip, leading to oral cancer.
- Nicotine addiction: The tobacco in shisha contains nicotine, which can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
- Exposure to Secondhand smoke: Passive smokers are exposed to the toxic smoke emitted by the waterpipe, which can lead to serious health problems such as lung cancer and heart disease.
- Spread of infectious diseases: Sharing the mouthpiece of a shisha pipe can lead to the spread of infectious diseases such as herpes and tuberculosis.
This is why the sheesha smoking ban in Pakistan is highly appreciated by the general public.
