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.SKARDU: A devastating flash flood caused by a cloudburst in the Khandus area of Skardu has wreaked large-scale destruction, leaving several people, including tourists, stranded.
According to local sources, the flood swept away and completely destroyed 49 houses, 20 shops, and two mosques. The region’s communication infrastructure has collapsed, and a connecting bridge was washed away, cutting off ground access to the area.
In Subdivision Daghoni, heavy rainfall caused the roof of a house to collapse, resulting in the death of a young girl who was buried under the debris. Rescue operations are underway in the affected areas; however, challenging terrain and broken communication links are hampering relief efforts.
This disaster occurred just two days after similar cloudbursts triggered floods and landslides in the Diamer district, where a doctor from Lodhran, along with his brother-in-law and father-in-law, lost their lives, while his son remains missing.
Rescue teams quickly responded and successfully evacuated over 200 stranded tourists, relocating them to Chilas. In Diamer, an 8-kilometer-long connecting road was also destroyed due to landslides.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has released its latest report stating that the total death toll from recent rains across the country has reached 252. Among the deceased are 121 children, 85 men, and 46 women.
In the past 24 hours alone, 10 more fatalities and 13 injuries have been reported. The highest number of deaths occurred in Punjab (139), followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (60), Sindh (24), and Balochistan (16).
Meanwhile, thousands of individuals, including domestic and foreign tourists, have been left stranded at various points in Gilgit-Baltistan due to road blockages caused by landslides, including on the Karakoram Highway (KKH). Communication lines were also affected as fiber optic cables sustained damage in multiple areas, disrupting mobile and internet services throughout the region.
According to Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, the KKH remains blocked at Achar Nallah in Kohistan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated that although traffic has resumed on parts of the KKH within Gilgit-Baltistan, repair work continues in Kohistan. Meanwhile, Babusar Pass Road is obstructed at several spots.
Read more: Man Dies, 3 Injured As Roof Cavid-in Due To Heavy Rain
