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.QUETTA: The funeral prayers of the 10 slain coalminers have been offered at the Hazara Town Imambargah. Allama Raja Nasir Abbas led the funeral prayers.
The burial process began at around 11:50am at the Hazara Town Graveyard. It is unclear whether all the victims are being buried.
The Afghan government had claimed seven of them as Afghan nationals and said it wanted the bodies returned.
The victims are being buried after six days. Their bodies were kept on the Western Bypass during a protest by their families and other Hazaras. They wanted to bury the victims with Prime Minister Imran Khan but he refused to visit them until the burials were done.
The premier accused the grieving families of “blackmail” and said he would not come until the bodies were interred. He was scheduled to visit Quetta at 10am, the same time the funeral was scheduled but suddenly shifted his visit to noon.
The slain coal-miners were slaughtered by unknown terrorists in Machh area of Balochistan on Sunday (January 3).
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi, SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari, Balochistan’s provincial ministers Zia Lango, Saleem Khosa and Mobeen Khilji offered the prayers along with a large number of people.
Earlier on Friday night, the families and relatives of the martyred coal miners called off their sit- in protest and agreed to bury their loved ones after successful negotiations with the government delegation led by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal. Qasim Suri, Ali Haider Zaidi and Zulfi Bukhari were other members of the Government committee.
Ali Haider Zaidi had announced the decisions taken at the meeting in which all demands of the Hazara community were met and said the incident was not only tragic for one community but in fact shocked the entire nation, regardless of their sect and religion.
He said for the progress of the country, it was vital that all communities live together with peace and harmony, so as to foil the designs of the enemies who want to create chaos.
Ali Zaidi said officials responsible for the security lapse have already been suspended, and a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe the incident. He said the government has also directed law enforcement agencies to review their security plans.
Let it be known that the Hazara community’s sit-in protest, along with the coffins of their martyrs, on Quetta’s Western Bypass had been ongoing for six days.
