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: After May-war, India broke long silence and reached out to Pakistan through the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), sharing details on potential flood threats, Diplomatic sources revealed.
The sources in Foreign Office have told that, New Delhi warned Pakistan of a potentially major flood in the Tawi River at Jammu.
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad conveyed the alert, with the communication made on August 24, the sources said.
It was first major contact of its kind since the Pakistan-India May-war despite Indian Modi-led Government had threatened the suspension of IWT, the sources revealed.
Following the alert, Pakistani authorities issued warnings based on the information provided by India, they said, adding that in the wake of the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam area of the Indian occupied Jammu Kashmir on April 22, India then made a rhytoric and held the water treaty with Pakistan in abeyance.
It is worthy to mention here that India like its past practice accuses Pakistan of orchestrating the deadly Pahalgam militant attack, an allegation that Pakistan denies.
Based on these groundless allegations, India waged a war against Pakistan in May, resulting in the heaviest military engagement in decades, before a ceasefire was brokered by the US.
The nuclear-armed neighbors disagree over the use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus River basin in Pakistan.
The use of the water is governed by the IWT, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbors in September 1960.
There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems.
The treaty had survived three wars and other conflicts between the two rivals, while withstanding many twists and turns in diplomatic ties.
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