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.LAHORE: Tensions have escalated within the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as its central and Punjab leaders continued to clash over the Lahore event with Salman Akram Raja seeking an apology from provincial leader Aliya Hamza Malik for her ‘controversial’ tweet.
PTI Secretary General Salman appeared visibly angry for another day’s post on X by the party’s chief organizer in Punjab Aliya Hamza about her absence in the parliamentary party meeting held at a farm-house of a former senator in Lahore over the weekend.
Speaking to reporters outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, the secretary general referring to the tweet said that a good event had been made controversial due to foolish talk. “We will not tolerate it. What was the reason to tweet after the press conference (that followed the parliamentary party meeting),” he said in a hard-hitting tone and warned of a disciplinary action against the chief organizer if such violation was made again.
Salman Raja again condemned the tweet and sought an apology from Aliya. He, however, added that she was not being expelled from the party and should continue her duties, mobilize the party and lead the movement in Punjab. He also rejected the 90-day deadline given by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to the ruling coalition in the centre and said they would launch an anti-government movement under the directions of incarcerated PTI chief and former prime minister Imran Khan.
The controversy arose after Aliya, the PTI’s Chief Organizer Punjab, did not make it to the parliamentary party meeting that was primarily called to show unity and form a strategy to start an anti-government movement for the release of Imran Khan, which will peak on August 5 — the day when ex-premier Khan will complete its two years in jail. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur along with PTI’s senators, MNAs and MPAs had travelled all the way from Islamabad to Lahore to participate in the event.
The PTI secretary general in a presser a day after the gathering had told reporters that Aliya did not attend it because she was busy in mobilization of the party – a claim that was not accepted by many. The critics said that the absence of the provincial chief organizer was questionable when the event was scheduled to form a strategy for the protest movement.
A day earlier, the cracks within the PTI appeared to widen when Aliya in her post mockingly said that she herself was not even aware of her busy schedule, pointing out that she was actually not invited to the meeting. She questioned whether the gathering announced any plan of action for the release of Imran. “From where did the plan of 90 days come instead of August 5 (deadline),” she further raised a question.
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