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.PESHAWAR: Faisal Karim Kundi, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has expressed concern about the administrative, financial, and academic issues of public sector universities in the province and urged Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to work together to resolve these issues to secure the future of youths.
In a letter addressed to the chief minister, the governor called for the immediate appointment of VCs to those universities.
Kundi, who is also the chancellor of government universities in the province, said that the prolonged delay in the appointment of vice-chancellors to 25 government universities had caused serious administrative, academic, and financial challenges for them, jeopardising the future of students.
Former governor Ghulam Ali had also issued such letter to the chief minister on April 17 regarding the appointment of VCs.
Governor asks the KP Government to take corrective steps besides filling VC posts
Under Section 12(3) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act, 2012, the process of selection of a new vice-chancellor shall be initiated six months prior to the expiration of the existing term of the incumbent, according to letter of Kundi.
He, however, said that despite the recommendations of the academic search committee, the process for approving recommended candidates had not been initiated, exacerbating the situation.
“Failure to act promptly may jeopardise the future of higher education in the province and may also lead to the displeasure of the Peshawar High Court due to the established violation of law. Your (chief minister’s) sincere cooperation in resolving this issue is essential for securing the future of our province’s youth,” he said.
The issue of long delays in the appointment of VCs to universities was recently taken up by a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
During the May 15 hearing into the case, the bench observed that it expected that the vacant positions in universities would be filled “as soon as practicable.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa additional advocate general Shah Faisal Ilyas informed the bench that the search committee had selected eligible candidates for the appointment as VCs, but they had yet to be appointed.
Meanwhile, the Government fficials were of the view that the universities functioning in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa without regular VCs for the last one year included Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Khushhal Khan Khattak University Karak, University of Agriculture Dera Ismail Khan, University of Lakki Marwat, Hazara University Mansehra, University of Engineering and Technology Mardan, and Women University Swabi.
Also, seven other universities in the province have been awaiting the filling of the top position for four months. They include Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, Shuhada-i-APS University of Technology Nowshera, Kohat University of Science and Technology, University of Peshawar, University of Science and Technology Bannu, and University of Engineering Peshawar.
Officials said five universities, including Fata University Dara Adamkhel, Islamia College University Peshawar, the University of Buner, and the University of Chitral, had been functioning without regular VCs for the last two months.
The newly-established University of Agriculture Swat, University of Engineering and Applied Sciences Swat, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Swat, and University of Shangla also don’t have regular VCs, according to them.
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