Women parliamentarians seek curb on e-nicotine
ISLAMABAD: The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) Tuesday pressed for strengthening legislation about tobacco use, urging lawmakers to actively engage in fortifying the proposed regulations on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). The Caucus emphasized a zero tolerance approach to regulatory loopholes and called for capping nicotine levels 20 milligrammes per millilitre, imposing heavy…
The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) called for stricter regulations on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in a meeting held in Parliament House on Tuesday. WPC Secretary Dr. Shahida Rehmani presided over the gathering, which advocated for a zero-tolerance stance on regulatory loopholes and pushed for a cap of 20 milligrammes per millilitre for nicotine levels.
The Caucus proposed enhancing graphic health warnings on e-cigarettes, limiting alternative flavors and marketing strategies, and imposing hefty penalties for violations. They also advocated for expanding smoke-free zones to a 50-meter radius around educational institutions and enlisting relevant parliamentary committees to review and amend the existing regulatory framework in collaboration with the Directorate of Research on Addictions (DRAP) and other pertinent authorities.
The WPC backed the idea of establishing a broader forum, which would include parliamentarians, health experts, and civil society organizations, to deliberate on the proposed bill and amendments. They emphasized the need for sustained collaboration among Parliament, government bodies, health professionals, and civil society entities, such as the Aurat Foundation, to fortify tobacco-control efforts.
The meeting also stressed the significance of equipping parliamentary committees and lawmakers with essential knowledge to reinforce legislation on tobacco control and novel nicotine products, along with persisting awareness and educational initiatives targeting young people. Professor Dr. Matiur Rehman, Dean of the Health Services Academy, informed the participants about the health hazards associated with tobacco and nicotine products and the obstacles to effective tobacco control implementation in Pakistan.
The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus reaffirmed its dedication to evidence-based legislation, enhanced parliamentary oversight, and robust tobacco-control measures to safeguard public health, specifically the welfare of children, youth, and women. WPC members present included MNAs Ms. Shahida Begum, Ms. Farakh Khan, Ms. Naeema Kishwer Khan, and Ms. Rana Ansar, alongside health experts and civil society representatives.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
