KP Takes Lead in Banning E-Cigarette Sales Near Schools

APP

Peshawar: In a significant development, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has implemented Section 144 to prohibit the storage, sale, and utilization of e-cigarettes and vaping products by minors and in the proximity of educational institutions within the province.

An official notification issued on Tuesday by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa stated that the decision was made in response to the alarming surge in the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, particularly among children and youth in the region.

The growing prevalence of e-cigarettes and vapes has raised concerns, primarily due to the presence of nicotine, a highly addictive substance. These products pose substantial health risks, especially to children, youth, and pregnant women, leading to addiction and other serious health issues.

To address these concerns and prioritize the health and well-being of citizens, especially the younger generation, Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 has been enforced for a duration of 60 days. The order includes a complete ban on selling e-cigarettes and vapes to individuals below the age of 21 throughout Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Additionally, the sale, storage, and usage of e-cigarettes and vapes within a 50-meter radius of all educational institutions in the province have been prohibited.

It’s worth noting that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, in a meeting on January 11, 2024, with a delegation led by Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager Blue Veins, and Ajmal Shah, Coordinator Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Tobacco Control Cell, expressed full support for the civil society’s call to ban the use and sale of e-cigarettes and vaping.

During the meeting, Governor Haji Ghulam Ali also instructed the Chief Secretary to take notice of the harmful effects of modern tobacco devices on public health, particularly due to their increasing usage among youngsters.