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.ISLAMABAD: The trade deficit of Pakistan ballooned 44% in July 2025 as imports jumped at nearly double the pace of exports, the official data revealed on Thursday.
The official data highlights excessive pressure on the country’s external balance at the start of the new fiscal year,
Meanwhile, exports climbed 16.9% year-on-year to $2.7 billion in July, up 8.9% from June, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Imports, however, surged 29.3% from a year earlier to $5.4 billion and 12.4% month-on-month, swelling the monthly trade gap to $2.75 billion from $1.91 billion a year earlier and $2.37 billion in June.
For the fiscal year 2024-25, the overall trade deficit grew 9.3% to $26.35 billion, as exports rose 4.5% to $32 billion while imports climbed 6.6% to $58.4 billion.
The PBS also reported the services trade performance data for July-June 2024-25. According to the trade statistics for international services during this period, local companies imported more services than they exported.
The trade deficit in services witnessed a decline of 15.84%, reaching $2.62 billion in FY25 compared to $3.1 billion in FY24.
In FY25, the economy hired the services of foreign companies for $11 billion and exported services abroad for $8.4 billion.
Whereas, in FY24, the country’s services exports were recorded at $7.68 billion, and imports stood at $10.8 billion, representing an increase of 9.23% in services exports and a 2.01% increase in imports.
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