Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) has warned the youth, girls and their parents to beware of the health hazards of VELO that is 10 times dangerous than tobacco. PANAH hosted a seminar in collaboration with other partners at local hotel on 16 March 2022 to raise awareness about what VELO actually is. Chief guest of the seminar was Ms Afshan Tehseen Bajwa, Chairperson National Commission on the Rights of Child, Gov of Pakistan.
The seminar was conducted by Sana Ullah Ghumman, Secretary General of PANAH. Theme of the Seminar was ” Ban VELO to Save Your Youth.” He appreciated Chairperson NCRC for writing letter to social media administrations to ban the publicity of VELO in Pakistan.
Addiction is as big problem in Pakistan as is corruption. Large number of Pakistanis especially the youth is addicted to one or two types of drugs. Women and young girls are more exposed to these drugs than the males. The problem exists in all educational institutions, from schools to universities.
Addiction in youngster starts as fun – second stage is when they start selling it among other youth for income to meet the expenditures of their fun- final stage is when they are arrested and sent to jail.
Girls can not smoke easily and freely in our society. So, the drug and tobacco industry has introduced VELO for their “convenience.”
VELO is white nicotine pouch packed in a round shaped small and handy box that is just like the make up kit of the girls. It was launched in December 20, 2019 in Karachi for the first time in Pakistan. Renown stars of tv and film were hired to secure maximum coverage in the media.
Sana Ullah Ghumman said that cigarette manufacturing companies including Paksitan Tobacco Company always boast of contributing 110 billion rupees tax but matter of fact is that they put health budget burden of 600 billion rupees on government of Pakistan.
Chairperson Afshan Tehseen advised the parents that they should check the bags of their children male female both – They need to keep eye on the activities of their children- She expressed concern that the children do not listen to their parents now a days. When parents advise the children something , the children respond the other way saying it is life style, you are old fashioned.
In the seminar the speakers highlighted the importance of shaping laws on non smoke items that are more risky to human health but can not be controlled because their no law exists in the land. Former parliamentarians, officials, women leaders from different walks of life, civil society and media representatives participated and shared their valued feed back on how to control this new menace to our society.
Country Head Malik Imran shed light on the launch of VELO in Pakistan and shared how it can damage the social fabric of the society by attracting women and girls to addiction. He said Russia has banned VELO because a minor boy ate it and his health deteriorated so bad that he was shifted to ICU.
Malik Imran to a question by Tazeen Akhtar, replied that VELO is distributed in Pakistan by Pakistan Tobacco Company that is subsidiary of British Tobacco. PTC says that it is manufactured in Sweden and Norway. The company intends to set up a plant in Pakistan.
Sana Ullah Ghumman criticized the countries that have banned drugs in their territories but exporting it to other countries. He said that Velo is banned in the world but in Pakistan they are free to target our youth and no one can stop them. Our popular tv and film artists are with them to advertise this lethal thing among our youth.
Sajal Saraf from John Hopkins addressed the participants online. She said that majority still do not know what VELO is. We need to inform them what it actually is.
Editor Tazeen Akhtar, speaking from Media side, said that Press and Media appreciates the efforts of PANAH and other partners but we also see what our government is doing. That is quite unsatisfactory and weird.
“Our Minsiter (Shibli) publicly announces that GoP is going to exploit medical advantages of HEMP. He orders to sow the crop as pilot project and later when it grows, he himself reaps it and attract country wide media coverage. Now what impression will the people who are addicted already will take from this step?” Tazeen Akhtar elaborated.
Editor Tazayeen Akhtar told the participants that cigarette companies have their lobby in our Prime Minister Secretariat and Presidency – Pakistan Tobacco Company manufactures the finest cigarette that is distributed among the officials free of cost.
Other participants who shared their feed back and suggestion how to stop this new addiction were Sameena Shoaib, Robeen Ghafoor, Irum Mumtaz, Tehseen Fawad, Naureen Gilani former MPA PMLN, Shahida Javed and Roohi Hashmi.
From media side senior journalists Mudassar Iqbal Chaudhary of Daily the Destination addressed the participants. He said that what is the problem in taking measures to stop this new addiction? Government can issue an executive order to ban it in Pakistan. Journalists Khawaja Nayyar and Azher Jatoi also supported the cause of PANAH.
Ambreen Qayyum
