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.LAHORE: More than two million people have affected by horrible flood submerged Punjab after Indian Water Terrorism in which province is battling with unprecedented floods.
Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has said the current flood situation in the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers is unprecedented, adding that all government departments are engaged in saving lives. According to her, 2 million people have been impacted so far, with 750,000 evacuated to safer locations, including 300,000 currently in relief camps.
Aurangzeb said 115,000 people were rescued using boats, while more than 500,000 livestock were also shifted to safe areas. For the first time, drones and thermal surveillance have been used in rescue operations.
She stressed that due to timely decisions by the chief minister, including anti-encroachment measures, Punjab has been saved from greater human losses. “Not a single life has been lost due to negligence,” she said, adding that the provincial government will assess damages and ensure compensation for affected families.
Aurangzeb further said medical camps and mobile clinics are operational in the field, and a dedicated flood media room has been set up to provide real-time information.
Highlighting climate change as a stark reality, she said Rs 40 billion have been allocated for water storage projects to better manage such disasters in the future. She added that more than 300,000 people have been rescued, and in Lahore, rainfall has exceeded 100 millimeters. Despite rising water levels in the Ravi River, she said not a single life has been lost.
“This is an extraordinary situation, an unprecedented flood,” she said. “It is a national calamity, and we must face it together.”
Meanwhile, Director General of Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Irfan Ali Kathia said, Punjab is currently experiencing one of the worst floods in its history.
At Head Balloki, the River Ravi is reaching peak levels, and the risk could increase further in the next 24 hours. So far, 33 deaths have been recorded due to the floods in Punjab.
During a briefing on the flood situation, DG Kathia said that the main flood stream of the Ravi is passing through Head Balloki, which may submerge more villages in Khanewal, Okara, and surrounding areas. Water flow is also increasing in villages across Okara, Sahiwal, Kamalia, Khanewal, and Kabirwala. By tomorrow, 135,000 cusecs of water is expected to reach Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, and Vehari.
He added that the flow of the Sutlej River has decreased, with 154,000 cusecs of water present at Head Sulemanki and 100,000 cusecs in the Bahawalpur region. At present, a stream of 260,000 cusecs is passing through Kasur.
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