Islamabad: The government has proposed a complete ban on vaping devices in Pakistan over concerns that electronic nicotine delivery systems are increasingly being used for drug intoxication, officials told the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination during a meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday.
The committee, which met under the chairmanship of Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, was briefed by officials of the Ministry of National Health Services while examining the Private Member’s Bill titled “The Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, 2025,” aimed at regulating the growing use of vapes and similar devices in the country.
Officials informed the panel that various stakeholders had raised objections to the proposed regulatory framework and the ministry had recommended a stricter approach, including a possible complete ban on vaping products. According to the ministry, these devices are increasingly being misused for drug consumption and intoxication, while the current bill also fails to adequately address issues related to taxation and regulatory control.
After deliberations, the committee decided that the amendments proposed by the ministry would be incorporated into the draft legislation. Members directed the ministry to present a comprehensive briefing in the next meeting after revising the bill in light of the proposed changes.
The meeting was attended by Senators Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Rubina Khalid, Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Rahat Jamali, Sarmad Ali, Dilawar Khan and Agha Shahzaib Durrani. Senator Jan Muhammad participated as a special invitee, while Senator Hidayatullah Khan attended as the mover of a point of public importance.
Besides vaping regulation, the committee also took up the issue of the centralized admission policy for private medical colleges and expressed serious concern over the current weightage assigned to the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). Members termed the existing 50 percent weightage for MDCAT disproportionate and called for a comprehensive review of the admission criteria.
The committee urged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to reassess the structure and rationale of MDCAT and bring the system closer to international practices followed in medical education. Lawmakers said the current structure places excessive emphasis on a single examination and may not adequately reflect the overall academic performance of candidates.
Chairman Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti also highlighted complaints that some private medical colleges were charging admission fees beyond the officially prescribed capped limit. He directed PMDC to take strict action against institutions found violating the fee regulations and ensure that students and parents are not exploited during the admission process.
The committee also asked the health ministry to explore ways to increase the number of medical seats in the country in order to address the growing demand for medical education.
In this regard, the chairman directed PMDC to examine the possibility of revising the admission formula by reducing MDCAT weightage to 33 percent, assigning 57 percent weightage to Matric and FSc academic performance and allocating 10 percent marks for interviews. The council was asked to present an evidence based briefing on the proposed changes in the next meeting.
The issue of licensing for foreign qualified doctors also came under discussion. The chairman directed PMDC to facilitate doctors who have successfully cleared the National Registration Examination in accordance with prescribed requirements so that they can obtain medical licences without unnecessary delays.
The committee also took up a complaint regarding alleged arbitrary selection of students from Balochistan by the University of Health Sciences under the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Program. Members said that students selected through the prescribed process by the Higher Education Commission and PMDC were reportedly bypassed.
The chairman directed PMDC to thoroughly examine the matter and ensure that the issue is resolved in a transparent and fair manner.
Discussion on starred questions referred to the committee by the Senate was deferred due to the absence of the mover, and the meeting concluded with directions to relevant authorities to present detailed briefings on the pending issues in upcoming sessions.
Ends