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.What a shame. As many as 14 innocent human lives are lost in Keamari area but the Sindh government seems to be least concerned as how such a big human tragedy is caused.
Despite lapse of two days, authorities are yet to determine how toxic gas leak in Karachi’s Keamari area has badly affected the local residents. The source of toxic gas is still not clear.
The provincial health department has confirmed that 14 people have lost breath while many are hospitalized complaining of breathing difficulties.
Residents of the affected area are perturbed over government’s insensitivity towards the disturbing situation. Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani along with Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Shah addressed a news conference on Tuesday, admitting that the source of toxic gas and its nature was still unknown.
It has been reported by media that people are shifting from affected area for the time being and schools are closed in the vicinity—though no holiday is declared officially—to control further damage. More than 250 people have been treated in different hospitals who had shown symptoms including difficulty breathing, dizziness and vomiting.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered to evacuate residents from the affected areas, as more people were being affected. The Commissioner Karachi has said that an investigation into the gas leakage is ongoing besides collection of samples from patients.
Additionally, he said post-mortem examination reports of those who died will take at least 72 hours to be issued. It is high time for Sindh government to take corrective measures so loss of more human lives be averted. It’s an undeniable fact that had any such incident taken place in any developed country, heads must have been rolled.
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