A group of 60 women, representing all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, minorities, pollical activists from all mainstream and religious political parties, met here in Islamabad for two days to discuss harmful effects on tobacco and novel nicotine products.

These representative women called Concerned mothers, met with MNAs Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, Ms. Ghazala Khan, Ms. Mahjabeen Abbasi, Ms. Huma Chughtai and Saher Kamran.

A comprehensive briefing was given to the Concerned Mothers by the officials of Tobacco Control Cell of the Government of Pakistan.

The concerned mothers, whose children and family members are on the risk of smoking, resolved that the taxes on all tobacco products should be increased so that such products could not be in the purchasing power of youth and an incremental decrease in the use of tobacco is achieved.

MNA Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan said that during the years the parliament and the government promulgated many laws and regulation through SROs on tobacco control in Pakistan especially Prohibition of smoking in public places, ban on cigarette sales to children under 18, and in 500 meter radius of education institutions, Prohibition of a pack of less than 20 sticks, mandatory health warnings on cigarette packs and a price ceiling.’ MNA Naeema Kishwar Khan promised that we, as parliamentarians shall do whatever is needed for tobacco control.

MNA Sahe Kamran said in her closing remarks that as a parliamentarian, previous tenure as Senator, and now member of the National Assembly, I always raise voice at the floor of the house as well as in public arenas like media, social media, and public gatherings for the public interest especially for weaker segments of our society like children, women and minorities. She informed that the provincial government of Sindh banned gutka and Shisha cafés.

MNA Saher said, “I am mindful and working with Aurat Foundation and civil society for stricter control of tobacco, its other products like gutka, cigar, niswar, biri as well as banning novel products injurious to health. I am working with Women Parliamentary Caucus to amend existing laws on tobacco and introducing new laws banning novel nicotine products like vapes.

She continued, “New products are targeting youth in our educational institutions, we need to take measures to address this issue not only by creating awareness but also to make related laws.”

Razia Sultana, a political activist from Punjab said, ”We are deeply concerned that in the national budget of 2024-25, wherein every product was heavily taxed, even the lifesaving drugs and daily use food items were not spared from taxation but only tobacco was spared from any taxation. We demand 26% imposition of tax on all tobacco products. In continuation of our concern and anguishes, we regret the recent decrease in the cigarette prices. A cigarettes manufacturing company has drastically lowered its prices from Rs. 483 to Rs. 283, a move that not only violates existing tobacco control laws but also poses a severe threat to public health, particularly targeting youth and minors. Previously, at the price of Rs. 483, the company paid approximately Rs. 74 in taxes per pack. With the new price of Rs. 283, they are now paying only Rs. 43 in taxes – a reduction of Rs. 32 per pack. This decrease significantly impacts the country’s economy, as it results in a substantial reduction in tax revenue. We demand strict action by the CBR to immediately take action against that company for violation of price mechanism laws and SROs.”

Sanam Naz, a political activist from Sindh opined, “We also demand that no cigarette pack should be less than 20 sticks, as laid out in the law and we demand campaign by the tobacco companies to produce packs of less than 20 sticks, under the guise of export, can undermine country’s longstanding efforts against tobacco control. There is a significant danger that these products will shortly find their way into our local markets, thereby poisoning the health of our youth and lower-income populations even further. We the concerned mothers demand the government to not to accede to any such demand of the vested interests.”

Mumtaz Mughal, Program Director of Aurat Foundation said, ‘We demand that introducing new laws banning novel nicotine products like vapes. New products are targeting youth in our educational institutions, we need to take measures to address this issue not only by creating awareness but also to make related laws.”

The Concerned Mothers collectively vowed, “We resolve to keep on working for advocating with the parliamentarians, local governments, education authorities, civil societies, shopkeepers for protecting children and weaker sections of the society from harmful effects of tobacco and new nicotine products.”