Read articles from Pakistan

March 11, 2025 by filtermag.org

Tobacco harm reduction saves lives by providing safer alternatives for smokers unwilling to quit. Women face unique challenges due to societal norms and health risks associated with smoking, including reproductive complications and cancer. Initiatives like the Lady Health Workers program in Pakistan demonstrate effective outreach to promote awareness and harm reduction. Gender-sensitive approaches are crucial in policy-making and advocacy to ensure equitable access to resources. Empowering women through THR not only benefits their health but also influences their families and communities positively. Collaboration with healthcare providers and tailored messaging are essential in promoting THR among women for a more inclusive and effective strategy.

January 08, 2025 by dailyausaf.com

State Bank of Pakistan froze INGOs' accounts Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies for illegal activities in Pakistan. Local NGOs funded by these INGOs are not affected. Allegations of money laundering involving local NGOs and businesses like Wasabai were reported. Vital Strategies has operational violations and alleged links to India. Bruce Mandell chairs Vital Strategies and has ties to a Jewish family.

January 08, 2025 by nation.com.pk

Pakistan's Ministry of Interior's recent ban on INGOs like CTFK and Vital Strategies has sparked public interest due to alleged illegal activities. CTFK's Country Manager faced embezzlement accusations, raising questions about their operations. Mustehkam Pakistan highlighted the need for accountability. The ban was imposed for non-registration and violation of laws. Financial irregularities could have led Pakistan back on the FATF grey list. Funds misuse and alleged support for illicit mafias have damaged tobacco control efforts. The INGOs' influence on policy-making and lack of transparency were concerning. Stricter oversight is crucial to align INGOs' work with Pakistan's priorities and legal framework, safeguarding national interests and public health.

November 15, 2024 by springer.com

In Pakistan, tobacco smoking and indoor smoke from cooking fires pose significant health risks. Lady Health Workers (LHWs) play a crucial role in improving healthcare access, particularly in rural areas. This study aimed to explore the practicality of training LHWs to deliver health education aimed at reducing household exposure to tobacco smoke and indoor biomass smoke, while also documenting baseline exposure levels and assessing the immediate impact on household awareness and intentions to reduce exposure.

November 08, 2024 by nation.com.pk

The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) urges immediate regulation of emerging tobacco and nicotine products in Pakistan due to their increasing popularity among children and youth. These products pose health risks and contribute to a growing tobacco epidemic. Dr. Khalil Ahmad warns that the tobacco industry's marketing of these products misleads young users about their safety, leading to addiction. He stresses the need for urgent government intervention to protect future generations and reduce overall tobacco consumption. SPARC advocates for stringent policies to curb the sale and production of these harmful products, emphasizing the societal and health implications of widespread nicotine addiction.

September 11, 2024 by tribune.com.pk

Deputy Commissioner Haripur has banned e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products in the district under Section 144 for 90 days starting September 6, 2024. Restrictions include banning their use in public transport and spaces, prohibiting promotion through media, selling to individuals under 21, and storage within 100 meters of certain places. Meanwhile, the Sindh government has also imposed a ban on items used for drug consumption in Karachi, with penalties under Section 188 PPC. The Senate Standing Committee approved the Cannabis Authority Bill after a four-year delay, facing disagreements over clauses during the meeting.

May 20, 2024 by nation.com.pk

The WHO expresses concern over rising tobacco-related deaths in Pakistan due to factors like illicit cigarette trade and lax law enforcement. A study highlights the illicit market at 9-17%, with an unknown counterfeit extent. Increasing tobacco prices is seen as key to reducing consumption. A survey in Islamabad shows 23% illicit market share, with 47% smuggled, 45% non-tax paid, and 8% counterfeit cigarettes.

January 30, 2024 by nation.com.pk

PESHAWAR - Public Health Stakeholders of Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa on Monday called for unanimous and aggressive efforts to permanently ban the use and sale of e-cigarettes and vapes in the province for the best interest of public health and sustainable tobacco control. Blue Veins, a civil society organ­isation, conducted a public health stakeholder consultation to delib­erate on the interim ban by the KP government on vapes and e-ciga­rettes.

January 25, 2024 by tnnenglish.com

Supporting the decision to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes to minors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Alternative Research Initiative (ARI) reiterated its call for sensibly regulating tobacco harm-reduction products in Pakistan.

August 28, 2023 by dawn.com

Despite having sufficient knowledge about the potential health risks associated with nicotine exposure, an increasing number of young people are getting hooked on e-cigarettes, smoking devices that are powered by a battery, says a study recently published in an online journal. Over 800 individuals with mean age 29.6 years participated in the study during which 43.4 per cent respondents reported using e-cigarettes. “This is significantly higher than a 2017 study conducted among adolescents when prevalence of e-cigarettes was just 24 per cent. The current study also found that the mean age at which people start using e-cigarettes is 17 years and that 58 per cent of people believe smoking makes young people look ‘cool’,” it says.