Int’l Youth Day: Growing use of novel tobacco products threat for youngsters

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) organized a seminar to celebrate International Youth Day 2022 on Friday.

On this occasion, the Speakers highlighted the importance of banning novel tobacco products and termed these products biggest threats for younger generations as tobacco industry was finding new ways of manipulating our youth.

Studded with false advertisement and carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals), these products were presented as nicotine pouches, gums and lozenges.

Addressing the event, Parliamentary Secretary Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro said Pakistan is lucky to have a majority of population in youth, adding that these estimated 61 million youngsters are an asset for the country and the government realizes that.

“We will not let any industry deliberately target our youth to put their future in jeopardy,” the PPP leader said.

Dr Shazia appreciated SPARC for educating youth on malicious practices and harmful products and also giving youth a platform to share their stories with policymakers. She also assured to raise her voice in parliament for legislation regarding novel products.

Federal Ministry of NHSR&C Special Secretary Nasir Ud Din expressed concerns that 1,200 children smoke daily and 170,000 people dying due to tobacco-induced diseases every year.

The special secretary stated that the tobacco control cell at the ministry is active and we encourage parliamentarians, civil society, academia and media to collaborate with us in countering the sales and promotion of emerging tobacco products to children and youth.

CTFK Country Head Malik Imran Ahmed mentioned that in order to attract youth, tobacco industry was engaging youth icons such as famous musicians, actors and models for paid social media content.

The extensive online campaigns on almost all social media platforms are also proof that these products are targeted at youth. Imran added that if these attempts of the tobacco industry to gain more buyers are not kept in check through proper mechanisms, they will grow more powerful and keep being the cause of deaths and diseases in the country.

Tobacco Control Cell, Ministry of NHSR&C Former Technical Head Dr Ziauddin Islam mentioned that in Pakistan there’s no federal or provincial legislation regarding novel products i.e. nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes and vapes.

Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Ordinance 2002 provides key guidelines in controlling children’s access to traditional tobacco products.

Such legislation is required for novel products as well. Anees Jillani Member, Board of Director SPARC, stated that since 1992 SPARC is working for the dismal plight of the children across the country through research, awareness rising, and improved policy making and implementation. International Youth Day 2022 calls for collaboration between children and adults to put a strong barrier to the malicious campaigns of the tobacco industry.