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: Punjab agriculture sector was badly hit by flood 2025 that has destroyed over 2.2 million acres of crops in which rice was the hardest hit.
The devastating floods of 2025 have hit Pakistan’s agricultural economy hard as it submerged more than 2.2 million acres of farmland in Punjab.
The rice crop has suffered the most, with losses estimated at over 1 million acres of standing production.
Provincial authorities reported that the floods caused extensive damage to rice, sugarcane, corn, and cotton across Punjab. Standing sugarcane crops spread over 2.5 million acres were damaged, while corn and cotton fields also faced destruction.
Sources said that the federal government has been informed of the worsening situation, with proposals under consideration to waive taxes and irrigation fees for farmers in disaster-hit districts including Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Gujarat, and Multan.
Unlike Punjab, the impact in Sindh has so far been contained. Up to three percent of the onion crop has been damaged, but floodwaters have remained largely within river limits. Only the Kachha areas have been affected, sparing the wider agricultural belt.
Meanwhile in the wae of devastating flood the federal government has decided to involve international organisations, including UN agencies, to help assess the scale of damage and identify recovery needs. Sources confirmed that the World Bank is closely monitoring the situation and conducting consultations on possible recovery measures.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who chaired a high-level meeting with the finance minister and NDMA officials, said an initial assessment of losses will be completed within ten days.
He emphasized that final figures would only be possible once floodwaters fully recede.
Iqbal underscored that natural disasters like floods and droughts are direct impacts of climate change, warning that Pakistan remains highly vulnerable. He also noted that, similar to the 2022 disaster, international institutions will provide input to ensure accurate and transparent damage assessments.
Read more: Punjab Reports Over 33,000 Cases Of Various Diseases In Flood Areas
