Health Minister Yadav underscores need to raise awareness of the adverse effects of tobacco use

Kathmandu, May 31: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav underscored the need to raise awareness of the adverse effects of tobacco use instead of seeking to ban its consumption through legal measures.

Speaking at a program organized to mark ‘World No Tobacco Day’ today, Minister Yadav said the government has been raising higher taxes on tobacco items every year and implementing the laws to control its usage too. He pledged that his Ministry will accord highest priority for the effective implementation of the rules, regulations and Acts to curb tobacco consumption.

According to medical researches, smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and locally made cigars), intake of Gutkha, and inhaling hookah cause numeral health challenges in lungs.

The government in Nepal has banned smoking in public places but due to lack of stringent compliance, no significant progress has been achieved in this regard.