Islamabad: Rising tobacco and nicotine use among Pakistan’s youth, especially around educational institutions, emerged as the central concern at a national review session on tobacco control held by the Aurat Foundation in Islamabad.
Participants from Parliament, government departments, health organizations, and civil society warned that easy availability of cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches, and flavored tobacco near schools is creating a growing public health threat. The discussion also pointed to a noticeable increase in tobacco use among women, indicating a shifting trend.
The session called for stronger legislation, faster policy action, and strict enforcement to counter the rapid spread of emerging nicotine products. Speakers emphasized that existing laws remain poorly implemented due to procedural delays, weak monitoring, and limited coordination between federal and provincial bodies.
The need for clear parental awareness, community engagement, and better recognition of new nicotine products was highlighted as an essential part of early prevention. Officials noted that families and schools often remain unaware of modern products marketed to young people.
Technical briefings identified major enforcement gaps and policy loopholes that allow the tobacco industry to expand its reach. Participants noted that companies are increasingly using social media trends, entertainment content, and youth-focused marketing to promote vaping in urban areas.
Government representatives reaffirmed ongoing federal efforts to implement the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance 2002 and to tighten regulations where required. Provincial representatives also announced plans to introduce new resolutions to strengthen tobacco control.
Education sector officials raised alarms over the rise of nicotine products around private institutions and called for tougher regulatory checks. Regulatory authorities stressed the need for a broader social movement to counter tobacco use nationwide.
Closing the event, the Aurat Foundation reiterated its commitment to evidence-based advocacy, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term public awareness initiatives aimed at building a healthier, tobacco-free society.VATRY (France): French Government has arrested about 300 Indians under the charges of human trafficking after four French judges began questioning Indians traveling on a plane detained near Paris over human trafficking.
The issues with Canada and the United States over the charges of murder and attempt to murder Sikh leaders were still unresolved while India is facing with another charge of human trafficking.
Four judges of France have began questioning more than 300 Indians traveling on a plane detained near Paris on the charge of human trafficking.
The Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340 has been held at Vatry airport, 150 kilometres (95 miles) east of Paris, since arriving from Dubai for refueling after an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking.
Two passengers in custody had their detention extended Saturday evening for up to 48 hours, according to the Paris prosecutors office. They were being held “to verify” whether their role “may have been different than the others in this transport, and under what conditions and with what objectives”.
Investigators have checked the identity of passengers and flight crew, and are verifying the “conditions and purposes” of their travel, the prosecutor added.
Patrick Jaloux, the head of civil protection in the Marne region, said some of the passengers spoke Hindi, India’s national language, and the others Tamil which is spoken in southern India.
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