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.RAHIM YAR KHAN: In a heart-wrenching incident, a laborer in Rahim Yar Khan poisoned his three children before taking his own life after being unable to afford Eid clothes for them, the police said on Monday.
According to the police, the incident occurred in Sardar Garh Basti Haji Pir area of Rukanpur village.
The man, who worked as a tractor trolley driver, had been unemployed and distressed for several days, the police said.
In a state of despair, they added, he gave poisonous pills to his two disabled sons and daughter, before ingesting them himself.
The father and two children died, while the daughter is currently out of danger, Sheikh Zayed Hospital said in a statement, where the girl was undertreatment.
This year in February, a similar tragedy unfolded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swabi district, wherein a man took his own life after allegedly slaughtering his four children, including two minors.
According to police, the suspect, 42-year-old Saiful Islam, worked as a tailor and had been facing domestic issues for some time. His wife had left him a few days earlier after a dispute, staying at her parents’ house while leaving their four children behind.
Struggling to care for his children, especially his two-year-old daughter, Saiful Islam made repeated attempts to reconcile with his wife, but she allegedly refused to return. In desperation, he sent the youngest child to his wife through a relative, but she was sent back.
Overwhelmed by his inability to provide for his children, he reportedly fell into deep distress, which ultimately led to the horrific act.Luqman Khan, an official from Rescue 1122, confirmed that the bodies were transported to Yar Hussain Civil Hospital for autopsy.
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