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 All Parties Conference (APC) on Kashmir organized by Jamat e Islami (JI) condemned the attempts made by Indian government to change demography of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by changing status of the territory and settling non-Kashmiris belonging to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the valley.
The leadership attending the APC expressed concerns over change in disputed status of IIOJK by the Indian government through changing domicile-related laws to manipulate ratio of population in the territory.
“We condemn these Indian steps of changing demography of IIOJK as glaring violation of the United Nations resolutions, international laws and recognised human rights,” the declaration passed by the APC said.
The event was held in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day falling on February 05, which w as addressed by JI central ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Senator Mushahid Husain Sayed, former president Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Masood Khan, former AJK prime minister Sardar Attique Khan, Nayyar Hussain Bokhari of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Abdullah Gul, JI AJK ameer Dr Mushtaq Khan, ex AJK ameer Abdur Rashid Turabi, JI naib ameers Mian Muhammad Aslam and Liaquat Baloch, JI director for foreign affairs Asif Luqman Qazi and Kashmiri leader Ghulam Safi and others.
The APC also condemned continuous detention of Kashmiri leaders in IIOJK, search operations, restrictions on civil society, media workers and others and confiscation of their properties in the occupied territory, terming them state terrorism.
The APC pledged that the Pakistani people and the state of Pakistan would never deviate from supporting the right to self-determination of Kashmiri people and would also not hesitate from giving any sacrifice for the cause.
On the occasion, “Friends of Kashmir” forum was constituted under the leadership of Senator Mushahid Husain Sayed. The forum will comprise Kashmiri and Pakistani politicians, Hurriyat leaders, members of civil society, media and others.
The Friends of Kashmir will also lobby on Kashmir at the international level. In its declaration, the APC called upon the Pakistan government to play its part for the release of detained Kashmiri leaders, including Yasin Malik, Abdul Hameed Fayyaz, Asiya Andrabi, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Musarrat Alam and Dr Qasim.
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