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.LAHORE: The Lahore High court on Wednesday directed the capital city police officer (CCPO) of Lahore to produce Mustafa Kanjo in Zain murder case before the court on next hearing.
A two-member bench of the LHC headed by Justice Qasim Khan resumed hearing of a plea against the acquittal of suspects involved in Zain murder case today.
During the course of proceedings, public prosecutors apprised the court that the court’s notice could not be served on Mustafa Kanjo, the son of former state minister for foreign affairs Siddique Kanju, as he had left for London.
It is pertinent to mention here that the court had acquitted Kanjo after all the witnesses had withdrawn their statements in the Zain murder case. Zain’s family pleaded the LHC to nullify its earlier verdict in the case.
Earlier, Judicial Magistrate Akram Azad , on May 2, 2016, had heard the case against Kanju regarding illegal possession of weapons.
The court had issued non-bailable warrants against the four witnesses, Ghulam Mustafa, Imran, Imtiaz and Idrees, for not appearing before the court. However, the witnesses still did not comply the court order that led the court to reissue their arrest warrants.
The court also directed SHO South to arrest and present Mustafa Kanju before court on May 14. The case of illegal possession of Kalashnikov, used in Zain’s murder, had been registered in the police station South.
