The Lahore High Court (LHC) has upheld the federal government’s ban on the advertising of tobacco, cigarettes, and paan products, ruling that such promotions are illegal.
The decision was issued by Justice Raheel Kamran Sheikh and was his final judgment before his resignation.
The court dismissed a petition challenging the federal government’s notification imposing restrictions on the advertisement of tobacco-related products.
In its ruling, the LHC observed that the government had justified the restrictions on the grounds that advertising tobacco, cigarettes, and paan could have negative consequences for public health.
The court noted that protecting public health and ensuring a healthy environment are constitutional obligations. It further ruled that there is no permanent constitutional right to advertise tobacco products.
The judgment also rejected the argument that restrictions on tobacco advertising could encourage illegal trade.
The court dismissed a constitutional objection regarding the government’s failure to refer the matter to the Council of Common Interests, ruling that there was nothing unlawful in the notification.
While acknowledging that every citizen has a constitutional right to conduct business and trade, the court ultimately upheld the government’s notification banning tobacco advertising and dismissed the petition.
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