According to a statement from the Network for Consumer Protection in Pakistan, the country's tobacco industry has agreed in a meeting on Tuesday to remove all billboards from across the country.
The meeting was held to review the compliance by the tobacco industry of the implementation of tobacco advertisement guidelines developed under the Tobacco Control Ordinance 2003.
The meeting was attended by the ministry officials, representatives of civil society including the Network and the two major tobacco companies of Pakistan, Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) and Lakson Tobacco Company.
The two companies jointly enjoy 78 percent of the cigarette market in Pakistan.
The meeting reviewed the industry compliance with the 24 implementation points one by onewhich had been agreed upon by all the parties involved in this process on 28 December 2005. The rules regarding outdoor advertisement in the form of billboards clearly states that no billboard larger than 1 square shall be allowed.
The committee had wished that the ban shall come into force immediately; however, considering practicalities of advertising contracts, a grace period of three months was granted to the industry. (pi)