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.ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, who is also Chairman Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), directed all Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) to verify the degrees and certificates of entire police force starting from the PSP officers.
Chairing the Police Reforms Committee (PRC) held in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed said that the principle laid down in the land mark judgment of Supreme Court should be practically followed to discourage the practice of treating the simple criminal cases as terrorism cases, whereby terrorism is well defined for guidance of investigating agencies as well as prosecution and judiciary.
He also directed DG, NPB to maintain the list of competent investigating officers for specialized investigation of different crimes. He observed that the adverse image established in the society due to negative attitude of police officials’ needs consideration, because the positive attitude of police personnel is as vital as their competence for protection of rights of common persons and general public.
The chief justice said to ensure impartiality of police force and to eliminate undue influence upon Police Department, it is vital that the power of posting and transfers of the Police Officers/officials including PSP’s of every rank should be assigned to the concerned IGPs.
The IGP Punjab apprised the committee that the ban on purchase of vehicles is creating hurdles in purchase of operational vehicles causing inconvenience to the police officers in performing their official duties.
Upon this the Chief Justice expressed that the ban has only been imposed on the purchase of luxury vehicles not on the operational vehicles. However, the excessive and misuse of official vehicles should be looked into, which is giving bad name to the police department among the general public.
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