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: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated to tackle the growing challenge of digital media including the fake news and misinformation on social media platforms calling it inevitable for elimination of terrorism and extremism from the country.
“On digital front, the venom against Pakistan is being spitted through social media from some elements abroad. This is also a big challenge, which is supported by distorted facts and twisted reality,” Prime Minister Sharif said while chairing the meeting of the Apex Committee of National Action Plan (NAP).
Besides Premkier the meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the federal cabinet members, chief ministers of all provinces, Chief of Army Staff and other high officials of armed forces.
The prime minister said that certain questions were being raised by distorting facts and twisting the reality on social media that were denting the state’s image.
“If we don’t counter this challenge, all efforts (to eliminate terrorism and extremism in the country) will go waste,” he opined expressing the confidence that the government would overcome such challenges.
The prime minister recalled how fake news were spread with regard to martyrdom of personnel of Rangers on November 26.
The sacrifices of the armed forces are immense which would not go waste and Pakistan will continue its journey towards peace, stability and prosperity, he added.
PM Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion congratulated the nation as Pakistan assumed non-permanent membership of United Nation Security Council.
He emphasized that some Khawarij intruders were living in Pakistan especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to disturb the country’s peace.
The prime minister pointed out that the agenda of prosperity and development was discussed in the previous day’s meeting where it was agreed that without bringing peace and stability in the country, economic development was not possible.
The government, he said was determined to completely eliminate Fitna Al-Khawarij from the country to ensure socio-economic development of the country.
The prime minister stressed that the federal government, the provinces and all relevant stakeholders in collaboration with the Pakistan security forces should make a comprehensive plan in this regard. He pledged that with unity of thought and action, the government will implement such plans in letter and spirit to resolve all challenges faced by the country.
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