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.KARACHI: Fearing arrest in the alleged illegal appointments case in the Lyari University, Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani has approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) for bail before arrest on Monday.
The development comes after the issuance of the call-up notice by the National Accountability Bureau to Agha Siraj Durrani. The Pakistan People’s Party stalwart has pleaded with the SHC to approve his bail before arrest.
Durrani is accused of illegal appointments in the Benazir Bhutto Saheed University Lyari. According to the NAB call-up notice, the appointments were made against the law on the recommendations of Agha Siraj Durrani.
It is to be noted that, on July 20 in 2019, the National Accountability Bureau had ordered an inquiry against Durrani on charges of corruption against the Sindh Assembly speaker.
The NAB prosecution named 20 persons including Siraj Durrani as accused in the reference filed in accountability court Karachi after an inquiry.
According to the NAB charge-sheet, the accused were involved in corruption of upto 1.6 billion rupees.
The NAB Karachi had arrested Durrani from a hotel in Islamabad in February 2019.
With input from INP
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