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.KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened the new business week on a positive note, posting a strong recovery following last week’s significant decline.
During intraday trading, the KSE-100 index has gained 950.22 points to reach 155,389.90 points, marking a positive change of 0.62 percent compared to previous close of 15,439.68 points.
The upward trend signals renewed investor confidence and a rebound in market sentiment after recent volatility.
In previous session on Friday, the 100-index turned bearish, losing 1,701.56 points, a negative change of 1.09 percent, closing at 154,439.68 points against 156,141.25 points on the last working day.
A total of 987,589,372 shares were traded during the day as compared to 1,279,942,235 shares the previous day, whereas the total value of shares traded was recorded at Rs39.911 billion against Rs50.207 billion a day earlier.
As many as 476 companies transacted their shares in the stock market; 180 recorded gains and 263 sustained losses, whereas the share prices of 33 remained unchanged.
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