PESHAWAR — The National Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control has urged the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to pass pending smoke-free legislation and strengthen enforcement of existing tobacco control laws, citing concerns over public health and rising nicotine use.
In a statement, the alliance said that while the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance provides a national framework banning smoking in public places, implementation remains weak. It noted continued violations, including smoking in public spaces, point-of-sale advertising, and the sale of tobacco products to minors.
Pakistan ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, committing to measures aimed at reducing tobacco consumption, restricting advertising, and protecting citizens from secondhand smoke. The alliance said stronger enforcement is needed to meet these obligations.
Concerns over emerging nicotine products
The group expressed concern over the growing availability of emerging nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco devices. It said these products are being sold and promoted without a clear regulatory framework, contributing to increasing nicotine dependence, particularly among youth and women.
The alliance called on the federal government to adopt coordinated national measures for comprehensive nicotine regulation and to strengthen inter-provincial collaboration to address enforcement gaps.
Budget and enforcement measures
The group also urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to allocate a dedicated tobacco control budget in the upcoming fiscal year and introduce a PC-1 project to institutionalize enforcement, monitoring and awareness initiatives.
Usman Afridi, civil society activist and co-convener of the alliance, said delays in strengthening smoke-free legislation and regulating new nicotine products are putting lives at risk and called for stronger political commitment and oversight.
Youth activist Alvine Javed highlighted concerns over increasing nicotine use among young people and women. Ihsan Ali Khosa, coordinator for Sindh, said a nationally coordinated strategy is essential to fulfill Pakistan’s international commitments and protect future generations.
The alliance reiterated its call for immediate legislative and regulatory action to strengthen tobacco and nicotine control across Pakistan.
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