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: Government is still indecisive on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Quetta to console the Hazara community members holding sit in along with dead bodies slain coalminers from last six days.
The mourners, including women and children, have been sitting along with the bodies of 11 coalminers in extreme weather conditions near the Western Bypass area close to Hazara Town in Quetta and have refused to leave until the Prime Minister visits them.
PTI-led Government seemed to be thrown on the defensive as it was repeatedly challenged by the opposition over its slow response to the massacre of coalminers belonging to the Shia Hazara community in the Machh coal field area in the early hours of Sunday morning.
It is pertinent here to mention that some armed men took the coal miners belonging to Hazara community to nearby mountains in Machh and opened fire and killed 10 of them. After news of the incident broke, security agencies arrived at the coal mine and cordoned off the area and collected evidences.
Prime Minister Imran Khan hold meeting with cabinet members, however, the meeting remained undecided about the premier’s visit to Quetta to meet the protesters. The prime minister directed the interior ministry to devise a foolproof security mechanism for the Hazara community that faced terror incidents in the past.
Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, who also attended the meeting, gave a comprehensive briefing to the prime minister about the safety measures and demands put forward by the Hazaras. The meeting decide to compensate the victims’ families in line with the government rules and policy.
In addition, the prime minister also concurred with his aides over the political situation of the country with particular reference to the ongoing anti-government campaign.
The premier also discussed his Lahore visit on Friday but a final decision would be taken about it on January 8 (today).
