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.New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused the Narendra Modi-led Indian government of deliberately weakening the Right to Information (RTI) Act to suppress transparency and accountability.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Jairam Ramesh, in a statement issued in New Delhi, said the Modi government’s amendments to the RTI law were not reforms but deliberate moves “driven by fear of scrutiny.”
He said the RTI Act had become an effective tool for citizens to expose government wrongdoing, which made the ruling regime uneasy. “When people couldn’t access information through departments, they could turn to RTI — but that channel has now been compromised,” he remarked.
Ramesh noted that several RTI disclosures in the past had punctured official narratives — including orders for disclosure of the Prime Minister’s educational qualifications, exposure of false claims about fake ration cards, and revelations that the Reserve Bank of India’s Board had warned the government that demonetisation would not curb black money.
He added that key RTI queries seeking details about top loan defaulters and the return of black money received “no response,” reflecting the government’s attempt to conceal inconvenient truths.
“The Modi regime has systematically crippled transparency to shield the powerful from scrutiny,” Ramesh asserted, warning that weakening the RTI undermines the very foundation of democratic accountability in India.
