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 Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), headed by Justice Aminud Din Khan, will start hearing of cases from today (Thursday).
According to the cause list issued on Wednesday, a six-member bench headed by Justice Khan will hear 18 cases today, while 16 cases are set for November 15.
Other members of the bench are Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan. The bench has been created through the 26th Constitutional Amendment passed by parliament in haste on October 21. After the amendment, the Judicial Commission appointed Justice Khan as head of the bench.
Interestingly, the bench will take up a 31-year-old case related to the environmental pollution. The oldest case was filed in 1993. The second case was filed in 2003 and the third in 2016.
Key cases include a petition to remove former president Arif Alvi. The constitutional bench will take up a petition seeking disqualification of lawmakers with assets or businesses abroad today.
The bench will hear challenges to the legality of marriages between government officials and foreign nationals.
Another high profile case is a review petition, filed by Riaz Hanif Rahi, regarding the appointment of Qazi Faez Isa as chief justice of the Balochistan High Court. The petition had been dismissed by a three-member bench headed by former chief justice Saqib Nisar.
The bench will also hear a petition seeking nullification of legislation passed under the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government which came to power in April 2022.
Meanwhile, a suo motu notice on the detail of foreign bank accounts of Pakistani nationals is also part of the cause list for Friday. It is a notice taken in 2018.
A petition filed by Muhammad Ali Durrani seeking repatriation of public funds allegedly stashed abroad is also on the cause list.
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