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, 17 Feb (Web Desk): Reacting to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ insinuation about Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua’s briefings to Islamabad-based diplomats in the wake of the Pulwama attack, the Foreign Office on Sunday said India needs to introspect and respond to questions about its security and intelligence lapses that led to the attack.
In a statement, spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said Pakistan had rejected Indian allegations because these were made within a short span of time following the attack and without carrying out any investigation.
“These knee-jerk and pre-conceived accusations were nevertheless consistent with well-rehearsed tactics from Indian playbook after such incidents in the past,” he said.
The spokesperson said Jaesh-e-Mohammad (JeM) remained a proscribed entity in Pakistan since 2002 and the country was implementing its obligations with regard to sanctions on such outfits.
As for Indian assertions about JeM claiming responsibility for the attack and video of the attacker, he questioned “the selective and self-serving standards” that India adhered to in this respect. “Dichotomy in Indian position is evident while it accepts the unverified social media content about JeM claims of responsibility and video of the attacker as “gold standard”, it goes into denial mode when confronted with voluntary confessions and acceptance of responsibility by its serving Naval commander Jadev for perpetrating terrorist violence in Pakistan.”
Faisal said India owed an explanation on reports of Adil Ahmed Dar’s arrest and his being in custody since 2017.
“Pakistan desires normalisation of relations with India. In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Imran Khan followed his intention of taking two steps if India takes one, with the proposal for both Foreign Ministers to meet at the sidelines of the UNGA and a comprehensive, tangible roadmap for normalisation of ties.”
“It was India which cancelled the meeting on baseless pretexts. Similarly, the Pakistan Kartarpur initiative is another step aimed at improving people to people contacts and deescalating a vitiated environment.”
He said bluster, belligerence and pursuit of expedient standards to suit internal political interests is counterproductive. “India must come out of the denial mode, end state repression against Kashmiri youth, address widespread alienation in IOK and pursue the path of dialogue.”
