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.KARACHI:
Police on Monday claimed to have rounded up two fake doctors, who were allegedly responsible for the death of a female school teacher who was suffering labour pain in Ali Akbar Shah Goth of Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi.
According to police, Dr Uzma, running a private clinic in the area, asked the relatives of the lady teacher to shift her to a hospital after her condition worsened in the clinic when she was bearing labour pain. However, the lady teacher died on the way while being shifted to the medical facility.
Later, on complaint of the deceased teacher’s husband, the police arrested Dr Uzma and Nurse Sumera, both come out to be fake. “Investigation into the matter was underway”, the local police said.
In another incident of the same nature, last week, a model namely Ms Shafiq died at a local abortion clinic while undergoing the procedure. The clinic staff panicked at her death and threw her body in a nearby cemetery in the dark of the night.
The incident took place in Karachi’s western region of Mochko which borders Balochistan province.
Police arrested the nurse and her assistant who operated Ms Shafiq for abortion. According to police, the duo had confirmed the series of events.
