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.DODA (Kashmir): A teenage girl tragically died following a laparoscopic procedure to remove a liver cyst at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Doda, prompting allegations of medical negligence and calls for an official investigation.
The 11-year-old patient reportedly developed complications after undergoing surgery at GMC Doda and was being transferred to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar for advanced care when she died in an ambulance.
According to Dr. Rakesh Bahl, Principal of GMC Doda, the surgical procedure was performed under general anaesthesia after the girl’s father gave “fully informed high-risk consent.”
“The surgery was conducted successfully by our surgical team, and the intraoperative period remained uneventful. The giant cyst was removed without any immediate complications,” said Dr. Bahl in an official statement.
He added that complications arose postoperatively when the patient suffered an unexplained episode of acute renal shutdown. Following consultations with ICU and general surgery teams at SKIMS, the decision was made to transfer the patient for advanced nephrology care.
“The patient was shifted in an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance, but she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest en route and could not be revived,” Dr. Bahl stated, offering full cooperation for any official investigation into the matter.
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents and political representatives. Doda MLA Mehraj Malik publicly alleged gross negligence and termed the death as a “deliberate killing.”
“Doctors at GMC Doda deliberately killed another girl,” Malik said in a post on social media. “A surgery for liver cyst was performed today, and she was killed during surgery. She was then referred to Srinagar after being killed. Now let’s see what happens.”
As the grieving family and the community demand accountability, calls are growing for an independent probe to determine whether the standard protocols of care were followed and if there was any lapse that could have contributed to the girl’s death.
The administration has yet to announce an inquiry, but the case is expected to draw significant attention given the seriousness of the allegations.
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