Smoking, Vaping and Nicotine Pouches Banned in Pakistani Universities

Vice chancellors, rectors, and heads of higher education institutions in Pakistan have united to create smoke-free university campuses. This commitment was affirmed through the signing of the Charter for Tobacco and Nicotine-Free Campuses at a gathering hosted by COMSATS University Islamabad. The charter, endorsed by leaders from various universities across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, aims for complete elimination of tobacco, smoking, vaping, and recreational nicotine products on campus grounds.

This includes cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches.

The universities pledge to implement a step-by-step process to phase out these products, accompanied by student-led awareness campaigns, research endeavors, monitoring systems, and annual progress evaluations. Additionally, the forum agreed to present a joint letter, along with the charter, to the Prime Minister via the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), advocating for comprehensive national policy measures.

COMSATS University Rector, Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, emphasized the pivotal role of university leaders in tackling both social and technological issues. He also touched upon the influence of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies, such as quantum computing, on scientific research and the trajectory of higher education.

Discussions at the meeting encompassed academic, regulatory, and financial challenges confronting universities. Representatives from notable institutions, such as Air University, Bahria University, FAST-National University, Fatima Jinnah Women University, and several others, participated in the deliberations. The gathering concluded with a commitment to enhance collaboration among universities and pursue evidence-based policies and reforms in higher education.