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.MUZAFFARABAD: A visiting German academician has urged Kashmiri students to avail themselves of a wonderful academic life in Germany by tapping scholarship opportunities, particularly those offered by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD).
In an interactive session with students at the University of Poonch (UoP) Rawalakot, Prof Peter Joseph Boeck, renowned for his expertise in economics and business education, elaborated on the process of direct admissions, which, he said, facilitated access for international students to German universities.
This process simplifies the pathway for students from Azad Kashmir and other regions to pursue higher education in Germany, he said.
In response, both the students and faculty expressed gratitude to Prof Boeck for his engagement and guidance.
“I am grateful to you for your discourse on the students’ understanding of European culture and teaching methodologies,” UoP Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Zakaria Zakir said on the occasion.
He announced plans for future workshops to further enhance cultural understanding and academic collaboration.
Prof Zakir said the UoP was not only nurturing a generation of globally aware healthcare professionals but also fostering a community that celebrated diversity and embraced the richness of different cultures.
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