Another initiative for tobacco control, Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship (TAPS) monitoring, has been launched by The Network for Consumer Protection to monitor advertising and promotional activities and patronization of different campaigns under the guise of corporate social responsibility by tobacco companies. The Network Executive Coordinator Nadeem Iqbal, while highlighting the significance of the initiative, said tobacco promotion and sponsorship was marginally an unattended subject by regulators in Pakistan. Monitoring of TAPS by The Network is funded by Bloomberg Global Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, implemented by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (TFK) and International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (The Union).

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The 22nd International Harm Reduction Conference took place in Beirut, Lebanon, during April 3-7, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region where it faces diverse and rapidly changing patterns of drug, tobacco and alcohol use. Despite the fact that harm reduction has been adopted in policy and practice in more countries than ever before, significant gaps remain in the response. Also lack of coverage on harm reduction programs and the capacity of civil society to respond to harm reduction issues remain low in much of the world, therefore, 'Building capacity, redressing neglect' was made the theme of this annual international conference.

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