The Human Development Foundation (HDF) has organized a stakeholder policy dialogue to review Pakistan’s regulations on graphic health warnings and tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), highlighting gaps in existing laws and the need for stronger tobacco control measures.
Held on November 10, 2026, the dialogue brought together parliamentary representatives, government officials and other stakeholders to discuss regulatory challenges, international best practices and opportunities to improve tobacco control policies.
Focus on Graphic Health Warnings
The session on Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs) examined shortcomings in the existing regulatory framework, particularly the size and rotation of pictorial health warnings displayed on tobacco product packaging.
Participants discussed international best practices and the importance of strengthening health warnings to improve public awareness of tobacco-related health risks.
Digital Tobacco Advertising Under Discussion
Another session focused on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship (TAPS), examining regulatory gaps in the context of Article 13 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
Discussions highlighted challenges posed by tobacco product promotion through digital and social media platforms, particularly the growing implications for young people.
Parliamentary and Government Representatives Participate
Ms. Shazia Rizwan, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture, attended the dialogue as Chief Guest.
Mr. Aftab Ahmed, Project Manager at the National Tobacco Control Cell, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C), participated virtually.
Other participants included Dr. Rashida Batool, District Health Officer Islamabad, the Director of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and representatives from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions.
Call for Stronger Health Warnings and Regulations
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Shazia Rizwan emphasized the need for larger pictorial health warnings on tobacco packaging and their regular rotation to strengthen public awareness.
She also highlighted weaknesses in existing tobacco advertising regulations, particularly the tobacco industry’s increasing use of digital and social media platforms for promotional activities and the potential risks to young people.
The dialogue provided an opportunity to identify regulatory and implementation gaps, exchange technical perspectives and explore stronger coordination among government institutions.
Participants particularly emphasized coordination with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to support evidence-based tobacco control measures in Pakistan.