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: Three headworks, two at Chenab, one at Sutlej are flowing at very high floods while Shahdara on Ravi, Balloki, Jassar are in very high flood.
REports revealed that Shahdara was on Ravi in very high flood as exceptionally high levels continue on Chenab, Sutlej, as per the PDMA’s warning, Shahdara Headworks on Ravi River was now facing a “very high” flood, with “rising” outflows of over 160,000 cusecs.
According to the latest data by the Met Office’s Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) updated at 9am, Chenab River at the Qadirabad and Khanki headworks, and Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala are in an “exceptionally high flood” condition.
The water outflows at Qadirabad were recorded at over 900,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs), with a “falling” trend, while the outflows at Khanki neared 800,000 cusecs.
Jassar and Balloki headworks on Ravi were facing a “high” flood level, with steady and rising outflows, respectively.
This screengrab shows flood levels at various locations in Pakistan’s rivers at 9am on Aug 28, 2025. — Flood Forecasting Division website
Due to the swollen eastern rivers currently wreaking havoc in Punjab, the downstream province has asked the authorities to reduce outflows from Tarbela Dam to help it manage the deluge.
As multiple rivers submerge Punjab, Sindh has reached out to the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) to reduce outflows from Tarbela and retain water at Chashma Barrage — a request accepted by the authority.
IRSA reduced flows from Tarbela (at Sindh’s request), where 155,000 cusecs outflow was recorded at 8pm Wednesday, IRSA Director Operations told media.
He also confirmed that “storage can be taken slightly higher than maximum storage of 1,550 feet. We can take it to 1550.2 or 1550.3 feet for now,” he argued.
The Punjab Civil Defence is carrying out rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas to evacuate people and their cattle.
“The Civil Defence is a friend and helper of Punjab’s citizens in this moment of difficulty,” the Punjab Home Department said on X.
The government has urged citizens to immediately move to safer locations from areas near the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers in view of the “unprecedented flood situation”.
In a post on X, the government also advised the public to implement the suggestions of the local administration and rescue organizations.
