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: Marriyum Aurangzeb, spokesperson of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) reached Model Town the residence of Leader of Opposition, Mian Shehbaz Sharif where NAB team was arrived to arrest the PML- N President and addressing media, she termed the NAB raid as drama and cirus of NAB-Niazi nexus.
“This was a circus and drama of NAB-Niazi nexus”, Marriyum Aurangzeb said Shehbaz had to go to the NAB’s office earlier today (Tuesday) and that he had yesterday submitted a petition in the Lahore High Court claiming the operations of NAB were “ill-intentioned and based on political revenge”.
“The entire nation is aware of the nefarious agendas of NAB-Niazi nexus. A divisional bench of the LHC has scheduled a hearing for the petition for tomorrow,” she said, adding that the PML-N president wrote to the anti-graft body about how its officers had tested positive for coronavirus and since he’s a cancer survivor, he would not make an appearance.
“The case on Sehhbaz — from Ganda Naala, Saaf Pani, Ashiana scheme, 56 Companies, Earthquake funds embezzlement — are false allegations. The entire drama since the past two-and-a-half years is in front of the Pakistani people.
“Despite all such allegations, Shehbaz continued to appear in front of the law and the NAB,” she said, alleging further that the authorities outside the PML-N president’s residence were beating party workers, including women.
She claimed that “rented spokespeople are staging dramas” and that “all this circus being carried out at [Prime Minister] Imran Khan sahab’s orders is unconstitutional and illegal… It’s a contempt of the court”.
This is because the “incompetent, incapable, and thief prime minister does not have a plan of action”, she added.
“Why isn’t Imran sahab arrested, why isn’t Imran sahab summoned? The chief minister of Punjab who stole the nation’s sugar, who stole Rs3 billion from the people’s pockets and put it into thieves’ pockets… He is not arrested or summoned.
“Shehbaz Sharif remained in the NAB’s custody for 133 days. What questions couldn’t be asked in those 133 days?”
Aurangzeb added that no corruption allegation against Shehbaz had been proven and that today’s development was a “purposeful attempt to divert attention from sugar crisis report and the government’s lack of strategy for coronavirus response”.
She said the party leadership and workers “will continue to fight these tactics and circuses”.
Addressing NAB Chairperson Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, she said: “If NAB team is here to arrest Shehbaz, then the people of Pakistan will go to Bani Gala to arrest Imran Khan who stole Pakistani people’s sugar!”
The PML-N leader further noted that no arrests, summons or forensic had been carried out in accusations against the ruling PTI. “This arrest was staged [because there is a] hearing for tomorrow but the NAB had to stage this circus today.
“Their aim was ridicule and disrespect but it backfired!”, she said.
Read more: NAB Lahore team leaves without Shehbaz Sharif’s arrest
