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: The devastating high flood played havoc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and now heading towards Sindh province and the last resort of the heavy flood was put on high alert and people were asked to remain away from water bodies.
High-level flood alert was issued in Punjab after India released more water in Sutlej River and shared information about fresh release of water into Pakistani rivers.
After fresh release by India and forecast of another spell of Monsoon and Sutlej swelled in the wake of fresh Indian water terrorism, national and provincial disaster management authorities have also warned of fresh spell of monsoon showers.
The fresh wave of floods came as the water after devastating the province during the last two weeks, headed to Sindh where the authorities braced for a surge of more than 800,000 cusecs at Guddu Barrage on September 9 (tomorrow).
The situation in Punjab still remained precarious floods came in waves in the three major rivers — Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab — mainly because of discharges coming from India. authorities said that situation was critical, particularly in Gujrat.
A similar situation was witnessed in the southern Punjab, where army was called out in Jalalpur Pirwala for a massive evacuation operation. Last night, a 70-year-old woman, and four children died in the area, when a rescue boat, they were onboard, capsized in the flood water.
“The Indian High Commission informed Pakistan that water flow in the Sutlej River would rise further,” a spokesperson for the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), said. “The Sutlej is already experiencing high-level flooding at Harike downstream and Ferozepur downstream.”
Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed warned that by September 9, extremely high-level flooding is feared in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers due to heavy upstream rainfall, which could further swell the rivers.
Officials in Multan, meanwhile, confirmed that the Army had been called in to assist rescue efforts in Jalalpur Pirwala, where 14 Army boats, eight Rescue 1122 boats, and five private boats provided by police are part of ongoing operations to rescue stranded residents.
At Mauza Bait Malanwali, a flood embankment breached during the night, inundating several settlements. Rising water levels left men, women, and children trapped in the floodwater, with many climbing trees to save their lives.
Read more: Flood Emergency Continues In Punjab As Villages Submerged
