Pakistani Universities seek Nationwide Crackdown to curb Vaping, Nicotine pouches

University leaders from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, led by COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), signed a charter to phase out cigarettes, vaping devices, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches from their campuses. The initiative includes student-led awareness campaigns, research into tobacco and nicotine use, monitoring mechanisms and annual progress reviews. A joint letter with the signed charter will be sent to the Prime Minister through the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to seek national-level policy measures. The charter is a commitment by participating institutions and does not itself establish a nationwide legal ban. COMSATS University Rector Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar emphasized university leaders' responsibility and the growing significance of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The meeting also addressed academic, regulatory and financial pressures facing universities, with participants discussing the need for stronger cooperation and evidence-based reforms. Representatives from numerous institutions, including Air University, Bahria University, FAST-National University, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Federal Urdu University, Health Services Academy, HITEC University, National Skills University, NUTECH, PIEAS, Virtual University of Pakistan, Alhamd Islamic University, Northern University, City University Islamabad/Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Iqra University, PAF-IAST, Preston University, SZABIST University, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and IUCPSS Pakistan, attended the forum.

(Source：Daily Pakistan Global)