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.Special Report
China on the occasion of 80th massive military power show, attended by more than 26 world leaders prominent among them were Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, unveils New Modern War Armament that stunned the world especially the United Stated of America of Donald Trump.
The most modern war machinery displayed in the parade were laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles and giant underwater drones. among the new weapons China unveiled at a massive military parade.
As reported the world has witnessed new formations of Chinese armed forces today, with the Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, and Information Support Force marching for the first time.
It was a clear message of China that it is rewiring the People’s Liberation Army around data, AI, and joint operations. The strength here is top-down political mandate; the Chinese system can impose sweeping structural reforms quickly, embedding space, cyber, and information warfare into command structures,” says the assistant professor of the military transformations program at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore.
The weakness runs deep: repeated purges, especially in the Rocket Force, highlight corruption, mistrust, and politicization. Centralized command may look impressive in peacetime, but it risks brittleness in high-tempo combat. What China wants the world to see is a military transformed for the information age – but internally, cohesion and credibility remain fragile.
This is a deterrence theater: a powerful message to friends and rivals alike, but one that masks as many uncertainties as it displays strengths.”
President Xi Jinping said his country was “unstoppable” and will “never be intimidated” by bullies, in a speech before the event
This is the first time Xi, Putin and Kim have met together and this matters
Read more: President Xi Declares China ‘Unstoppable’; At Nation’s Massive Military Display
