According to an estimate by the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS), Regulations and Coordination, more than 1,200 children between the ages of five to 15 start to smoke every day in Pakistan.

There are at least 20 million under-aged or minor smokers in the country, where the legal age of smoking is 18 years, a statement said on Wednesday.

NHS Parliamentary Secretary Dr Nausheen Hamid said that according to a 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) report, more than 163,000 people die from tobacco use in Pakistan every year.

“This health burden is particularly affecting the youth population. About 1,200 children between the ages of six and 15 start smoking in Pakistan every day,” she said.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2265370/over-1200-children-start-smoking-every-day-in-pakistan