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.ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Pakistan to timely implement the rightsizing measures to reduce expenditure.
The IMF mission made the demand during ongoing discussions with Pakistani authorities regarding first economic review under the $7 billion loan program.
The delegation held negotiations with the officials of the Cabinet Division, Ministry of Finance, and the secretary of the Cabinet for rightsizing.
The visiting officials also sought a plan to cover the revenue shortfall in the upcoming quarter.
The IMF has urged Pakistan to ensure that the shortfall of Rs300 billion in tax collection is covered in the next quarter. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should take actions under the compliance risk management and risk improvement plan to cover the shortfall.
During the negotiations, the Pakistani officials briefed the IMF delegation on major retailers outside the tax net in large cities and measures to recover tax in high risk cases in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore.
The global lender emphasised that the revenue shortfall should be covered through the recovery from high-risk cases in these cities.
Official documents revealed that discussions were also held between IMF, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to review the performance of these sectors. The IMF delegation also held discussions on Islamic banking practices and procedures.
The IMF officials also held discussions with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regarding the re-finance scheme transition and development finance and the operationalization of the bank resolution framework for the banking sector.
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