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: New bench was formed after Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday dissolved its two-member bench hearing pleas filed by Maryam Nawaz seeking the court to return her passport and to order the government to take her name off the Exit Control List (ECL) to travel abroad.
The new bench comprising of Justice Ali Baqir Najfi and Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh to initiate hearings of the plea from February 10.
Earlier, a two-member bench headed by Justice Tariq Abbasi had heard Maryam’s petitions but there was no significant progress could be made. NOw new bench was formed to hear the case.
Maryam, Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has filed separate pleas for withdrawal of her name from the ECL and return of her passport, however, the NAB has already opposed those requests.
Justice Najafi had previously heard those pleas, but when the bench was dissolved, the requests were transferred to another bench. Justice Najafi will once again hear those pleas.
In November, Maryam was granted bail by the LHC in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case against two surety bonds worth Rs10 million and submission of her passport.
On August 8, a NAB team had detained her outside the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore for skipping appearance in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills.
Maryam was unable to provide required details of foreign investment in the case and failed to satisfy the accountability watchdog about source(s) of her income for purchasing the shares. The NAB had claimed that three foreigners had transferred 11,000 shares worth millions of rupees to Maryam’s name.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz shifted back to Kot Lakhpath after being admitted to hospital
On July 19, an accountability court had turned down petition of the NAB claiming Maryam Nawaz had produced a bogus trust deed in the Avenfield reference.
Judge Mohammad Bashir had declared anti-corruption watchdog’s appeal as un-maintainable and ruled that no action could be taken in this regard until the decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Maryam’s petition against the Avenfield properties verdict.
On July 6, 2018, accountability judge Mohammad Bashir had convicted former premier Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in Avenfield properties reference and sentenced them to 10 years and 07 years of imprisonment, respectively.
In the verdict, Judge Bashir had declared that “The trust deeds produced by the accused Maryam Nawaz were also found bogus… In view of the role of this accused Maryam Nawaz, she is convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for seven years with fine of two million pounds.”
She was arrested and shifted to Adiala jail. Later, in September 2018, and was released from jail after the Islamabad High Court suspended her prison sentence.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz’s passport submitted in LHC
