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.QUETTA: Pakistan Army in a major operation launched in Balochistan has eliminated 47 terrorists belonging to the group Fitna al-Khawarij in a large-scale operation conducted two weeks ago in Balochistan.
According to security sources, a major formation of the group attempted to cross the border in the Sambaza area of Balochistan.
Security forces launched an effective operation, neutralising the entire group before they could carry out any attacks.
A total of 47 militants were killed, most of them Afghan nationals. Many of the bodies fell on the Afghan side of the border. Despite being killed more than fifteen days earlier, the bodies remained unclaimed, with no one from Afghanistan stepping forward to collect them.
Sources reported that the corpses lay decomposing in open sunlight and were consumed by scavengers until 25 August, when Afghan authorities finally removed them. Following a jirga held at the border, the bodies were transported on donkeys.
Security sources stated that the elimination of this large militant formation before it could conduct any terrorist activities represented a major achievement for the country’s security and intelligence agencies
Read more: Pak, Turkey For Stronger Ties, Joint Support For Palestine
