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: National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Sunday said that as many as 2,379 cases of COVID-19 and 76 virus-linked deaths have been reported in the country during the past 24 hours.
According to the NCOC, after the addition of 2,379 cases, the number of active cases nationwide has reached 68,819.
It said that overall 877,130 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country of which 788,768 have recovered from it. “19,543 people have died from the infection,” the body said.
Punjab reported the most 325,662 cases and 9,367 deaths followed by 298,078 cases and 4,794 deaths in Sindh, 126,787 cases and 3,766 deaths in KP while Balochistan being the smallest province reported 23,831 cases and 264 deaths.
The federal capital, according to NCOC, reported 79,123 cases and 731 deaths while federally administered areas including Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) witnessed 5,418 cases and 107 deaths, and 18,231 cases and 514 deaths respectively.
Meanwhile, Punjab reported as many as 20 deaths and 1,073 new cases of the novel coronavirus over the last 24 hours.
According to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, 20 more people died of the virus during this period.
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