B-7: From Fragility to Resilience: Strengthening Tobacco Control in Pakistan
- Government health authorities should advocate for plain packaging of all tobacco-related products (including vapes, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches) to protect child rights, seeing this as a necessary step despite implementation challenges. Drawing from best practices in countries like India and China, provincial-level bans and enforcement on sales to minors should be reinforced.
- Regulatory bodies should classify nicotine pouches, vapes and e-cigarettes under consumer or tobacco product laws, given their harmful impacts and popularity among youth. Regulations should include clear labeling requirements per World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, a 75-80% increase in graphic health warnings, tax measures, and strict sales restrictions to minors.
- Legal and health ministries are encouraged to pursue renewed engagement with the Supreme Court, utilising legal avenues to address deceptive practices by the tobacco industry that have previously obstructed policy advancements.
- Health ministries should apply a strict ban on unregulated and untested nicotine pouches, as these currently lack oversight. An outright ban could serve as an interim public health measure until comprehensive regulations are established.
- Policymakers should classify nicotine pouches as tobacco products, emphasising their regulation under international standards like the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Given limited quality control capacity, an outright ban on nicotine pouches may be necessary to protect public health.
- Provincial governments should prioritise age-restricted sales bans and strengthen retail regulations for e-cigarettes, vapes and nicotine pouches. This includes expanding Peshawar’s age restrictions nationwide to reduce youth access to harmful substances.
- National and provincial legislators should support bans on electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and flavoured tobacco products, prioritising child health.
- Inter-provincial coordinating bodies should reinforce legislative support at the provincial level to counter industry influence, promote legislative efforts like those in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and work towards uniform policy development and enforcement across Pakistan.
