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.ISLAMABAD: Third High-Level International Conference dedicated to Glaciers’ Preservation to be held on 29-31 May 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The Conference will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Conference will provide a unique platform and excellent opportunity for the world community to raise awareness of and to prmote and facilitate actions and sustainable measures towards preserving glaciers, as well as its integrated management at all levels through transformative glaciers-related actions and commitments.
The initiative of Tajikistan was fully supported by Pakistan, which is actively participating in the framework of this initiative.
The conference to be held in cooperation with United Nations (UN) agencies and other partners, according to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/158 adopted on 14 December 2022, declaring 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
Furthermore, the adoption of the UN resolution declaring 2025-2034 as the International Decade of Action for Cryosphere Sciences is a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen scientific understanding and develop effective strategies for glacier preservation.
The active participation of UN Member States, UN agencies, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, business communities, civil society, water organizations, and other stakeholders representing various sectors, including water, energy, health, food, finance, climate, environment, industry, science, education in discussions and development of specific recommendations for the implementation of sustainable development goals and targets in the field of water resources.”
Within the framework of the high- Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, free excursions are organized on behalf of the Government of Tajikistan in several areas, which provide Conference participants with the opportunity to get personally acquainted with the rich history, culture and unique nature of Tajikistan.
Tajikistan is known for its hospitable people, incredibly delicious cuisine, unique mountains and eternal glaciers. Around 93 per cent of the country’s territory is occupied by majestic mountains that belong to the highest in the wold including the ‘Tien Shan, Pamir and Gissaro-Alai.’
Tajikistan has more than ten thousand mountain glaciers, the largest of which is the Vanch-Yakh (Fedchenko) glacier.
Tajikistan, renowned for its rich history, unique culture, ancient customs, and traditions, as well as its breathtaking nature with long rivers, lakes, and therapeutic springs, stands as one of the world’s oldest nations. While the modern Tajikistan carefully preserves the ancient historical and cultural heritage and revives original craft traditions and to this day, in many ancient cities of the republic, famous dynasties of masters of gold embroidery, masters of silk, abra, batik, gulduzi, skullcap embroiderers, weavers, jewelers, ceramicists, whose products are known all over the world, have been preserved.
Tajikistan was inhabited by people even before the middle of the 1st millennium BC, who created famous ancient states such as Sogdiana and Bactria.
The country is rich in historical and cultural landmarks.
The Hisor Fortress, the mausoleum of Khoja Mashhad, the remains of Buddhist monasteries from the 7th-8th centuries, and many other monuments will tell a lot about important milestones in the history of Tajikistan.
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