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 Imran Khan on Tuesday said that his government plans to introduce electronic voting system in Pakistan to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
During the briefing, the prime minister discussed electoral reforms and the elections in Gilgit Baltistan as well as the results of the recent polls.
Thanking the people of Gilgit Baltistan who came out of their houses despite the cold weather to exercise their voting rights and make the polls successful, PM Imran said that his government will make sure to give Gilgit Baltistan provincial status as soon as possible.
Citing the example of the 2013 and 2018 elections, PM Imran Khan said that it was the PTI which first started a campaign for free and fair elections in the country.
“In 2013, when all parties said that the polls had been rigged, we were the first ones to go to the courts to demand the audit of at least four constituencies, ” he said.
“We also staged dharnas, after which 133 petitions were signed by different parties against rigging.”
He said that the purpose of demanding the audit of the four constituencies was not to win, but to set a precedent that rigging is not acceptable.
“Keeping in view the upcoming elections in Azad Kashmir as well as the Senate election, the PTI-led government wants to foster an environment where every party that faces defeat will readily accept the results of elections instead of complaining about rigging,” he said.
“For the purpose, we will introduce an electronic voting system in the country, just like the rest of the world, to make sure that the process remains transparent,” the PM added.
“We also want to set up a system for overseas Pakistanis so that they can cast their votes and become part of the democratic decision-making process in the country,” he said.
The premier has previously talked about three electoral reforms – electronic voting, biometric verification, and electing senators through a show of hands instead of secret ballots.
The issue of electronic voting and biometric verification has attracted comprehensive discussions among public circles and deliberations by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). But these suggestions were universally discarded for different reasons.
Political parties have been opposed to the e-voting and biometric system, fearing that these modes are subject to easy manipulation as was the case with the notorious RTS (result transmission/management system), which, put in place in the 2018 general elections, created a mess because of its utter collapse when it should have functioned. It made the entire electoral exercise controversial and questionable, giving rise to a political storm.
Also, an ECP committee concluded a few years back that the cost of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) is very prohibitive, almost double, compared to the paper balloting.
His proposal for Senate elections may garner the support of opposition parties keeping in view the result of the no-confidence motion against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in August last year.
