Nicotine Pouches Fuel Youth Addiction Crisis: Experts

APP

Karachi: The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) on Tuesday urged stronger action to protect Pakistani youth from the growing influence of tobacco and emerging nicotine products, warning that misleading marketing tactics are drawing children toward addiction.

At an interactive session with journalists, SPARC Program Manager Dr. Khalil Ahmad Dogar shared alarming statistics, noting that thousands of citizens die annually due to tobacco use and that nearly 1,200 children start smoking every day in Pakistan. 

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/nicotine-pouches-a-silent-trend-rising-among-youth/

He said the persistently high number of smokers reflects both the scale of the crisis and the aggressive promotion strategies of the tobacco industry.

Dr Dogar welcomed Pakistan’s commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and acknowledged progress on several key measures. However, he expressed serious concern over the rapid rise of new nicotine and tobacco products marketed as “less harmful” alternatives.

“These claims are misleading and designed to create confusion—especially among youth,” he said, calling for stricter regulation, evidence-based public communication, and unified efforts to curb industry-driven misinformation.

The session ended with a collective pledge to enhance youth engagement, strengthen awareness campaigns, and boost media advocacy for a healthier, tobacco-free future for Pakistan’s young population.