ISLAMABAD - World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged governments to protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke by implementing smoke-free air policies in all enclosed public spaces. In its call to action, WHO commemorates 10 years since the two holy cities of Makkah and MAdina were declared smoke-free by releasing the report entitled Tobacco-free cities for smoke-free air: A case study in Mecca and Medina.This report is pivotal for other cities and countries looking to take forward their smoke-free air agenda.

 LAHORE, July 28: The incidence of rabies is on the rise in Pakistan as at least 5,000 deaths are being recorded annually, mostly caused by dog bite. While the rabies cases being reported from India are much higher and one person is falling prey to the zonotic viral disease after every 20 minutes.

 IT is frustrating enough that Pakistan is among the four countries of the world where polio remains endemic. However, if reports are to be believed it seems the world may be set to give Pakistan an ultimatum. According to a report in this newspaper quoting a World Health Organisation source, some European countries may impose travel restrictions on Pakistanis if this country fails to eradicate polio by 2012.