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: Coronavirus Second Wave has taken upward trend and during last 24 hours virus claimed 75 more lives around Pakistan, besides 2,829 more people were tested positive for COVID-19.
Coronavirus pandemic claimed 75 lives across Pakistan that took the overall death toll nationwide to 8,166 and with 2,829 new cases reported in the country that took the tally of positive cases to 403,311 on Wednesday.
According to the latest figures displayed on National Coronavirus Dashboard of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the NCOC confirmed the death of 75 more people during last 24 hours besides reported that 2,829 persons tested positive for COVID-19.
The figure issued by NCOC stated that Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic in terms of cases surged to 175,642, followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Punjab has overtaken Sindh in most number of casualties.
Till now 175,642 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 120,356 in Punjab, 47,701 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17,215 in Balochistan, 30,748 in Islamabad, 6,982 in Azad Kashmir and 4,667 in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Country-wide death toll surged to 8,166 deaths and province wise figures surges to 3,066 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab 2,962 in Sindh, 1,375 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 169 in Balochistan, 324 in Islamabad, 173 in Azad Kashmir and 97 in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Pakistan has so far conducted 5,584,976 coronavirus tests and 35,197 in the last 24 hours. 345,365 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas 2,244 patients are in critical condition.
