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: Punjab Minister of Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Raja Basharat has said that the provincial government will not tolerate extra judicial killings by police and would stand with the oppressed families in such incidents.
He was addressing the media on Saturday along with Mohammad Afzal, the father of Salahuddin, who was killed by police custody and a delegation of lawyers accompanying them here on Saturday. Earlier, Mohammad Afzal met the Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar and expressed his satisfaction over the government’s actions in this regard.
Describing the details of the meeting, Raja Basharat said that the Chief Minister has made it clear that those responsible for the Rahim Yar Khan incident would receive a definitive sentence and effective law is being brought in order to stop such sad incidents. The Additional Chief Secretary Home has been directed to initiate work on the proposed law instantly, he said.
The Provincial Minister said that at the behest of Mohammed Afzal, the Chief Minister directed IG Punjab to appoint a DIG level officer on the inquiry of the Salahud Din case and ordered to conduct the post mortem of the victim again. As per the directive of Prime Minister Imran Khan, concrete reforms would be made to make the police truly a public servant and the police would not be allowed to kill civilians through violence, he stated further.
Raja Basharat said that as soon as the instructions of Governor Punjab were received, any government school or institution would be attributed to the name of late Salahuddin. He said that Mohammed Afzal expressed satisfaction over the government’s request for setting up of a judicial commission and said that he would accept the findings of the commission whatever they be.
He said that if the issue is resolved by the addition of Section 7-ATA to the FIR of Salahud Din, the government would have no objection. Later, the lawyers thanked the Chief Minister and the Law Minister for making taking prompt action on the incident and cooperating in every possible way and said that a formal request for new post-mortem would be initiated immediately. (INP)
