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.SRINAGAR: The lone communist legislator in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Monday revealed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian Government at the centre was making the Omar Abdullah-led government “ineffective” so that it can not deliver and people remain unhappy with the government.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) leader and MLA from Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, told reporters in Srinagar that the real power lies with Delhi and “unfortunately the people of Jammu and Kashmir are punished”.
“BJP wants to make the JK government ineffective so that it can not deliver and people remain unhappy with the government. In my opinion, it is detrimental to the Constitution of the country. The government gave assurance in the Supreme Court that statehood will be restored; now they are delaying it and punishing the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Tarigami said.
He said the government will work as per its authority and mandate, but the BJP is trying to disarm the government here, which completed its six months. “They are not allowed to work. The government is being disempowered, and there are apprehensions that it will be disempowered more by the BJP. BJP does not like the mandate (of 2024 assembly elections). And in the future, there is at least a possibility that the BJP will respect the mandate but will rather disempower it more,” he said.
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