Federal Health Ministry Unconcerned
M. Waqar Bhatti
Islamabad: In a concerning development, dozens of Chinese vaping companies showcased a wide array of e-cigarettes, flavored vapes, and nicotine products at Pakistan’s first-ever vape show in Islamabad, held at the Pakistan-China Friendship Center.
The event, which concluded on Thursday, saw young visitors, including school and college students, streaming in to explore the latest in vaping devices and flavors.
The event’s permissive atmosphere and the government’s role in facilitating it raise serious questions about the nation’s commitment to public health, as vaping products were prominently marketed to Pakistani youth, potentially creating a new generation addicted to nicotine.
Reports from the expo indicate that Chinese manufacturers used aggressive marketing tactics to appeal to young Pakistani consumers, with exhibitors offering substantial incentives to local retailers and distributors.
Teresa Chen, an exhibitor and representative of a prominent Chinese vaping company, expressed her delight at the high level of interest shown by Pakistani importers and attendees, stating that “vaping is gaining traction as an alternative to cigarettes in Pakistan.”
This deliberate effort to popularize vaping among young Pakistanis, paired with attractive flavors and advanced vaping devices, hints at an insidious campaign to encourage early nicotine addiction.
Despite mounting health risks associated with e-cigarettes, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSR&C) not only permitted but reportedly facilitated the event, raising concerns about the government’s regulatory stance.
Critics argue that this event was not only a marketing exercise but an attempt to sidestep Pakistan’s tobacco control measures, making harmful substances readily available under the guise of ‘alternative products.’
The NHSR&C’s role in allowing this expo has drawn fierce backlash. Activists allege that some officials in the ministry’s Tobacco Control Cell are actively promoting the use of vaping products, prioritizing the interests of foreign vaping companies over the health of Pakistani citizens.
Sources indicate that the vaping market made significant inroads into Pakistan’s regulatory framework during the tenure of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel, who was embroiled in controversy over lax policies on vaping and tobacco control.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has long warned against the risks of vaping, especially for youth. WHO highlights that vaping is highly addictive due to the nicotine content, posing substantial risks to heart and lung health, and often involves unknown toxic chemicals.
Despite these warnings, the federal health ministry’s laissez-faire approach appears to have empowered the vaping industry at the expense of public health.
WHO has consistently urged governments to enforce stricter controls to “protect children and prevent the use of e-cigarettes.”
According to health experts, vaping can lead to severe nicotine addiction, which presents in withdrawal symptoms and compulsive cravings. The organization also emphasizes that vaping is harmful to both heart and lung health, with studies showing that e-cigarette use can exacerbate respiratory issues and contribute to cardiovascular problems.
Although e-cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, the actual chemicals in these devices remain largely unknown, making them a hazardous gamble for users. Critics of Pakistan’s health ministry argue that the government should have taken a harder stance against the event, aligning with WHO recommendations instead of tacitly encouraging an industry that thrives on nicotine addiction.
Public health experts have expressed alarm over the growing popularity of vaping among young people, particularly as industry giants use candy-flavored liquids and trendy, high-tech devices to lure new users. By normalizing vaping, these companies not only open doors for nicotine dependency among young people but also undermine years of efforts to combat tobacco use in Pakistan.
Attendees at the expo were able to sample various flavored products, a practice WHO condemns as a direct appeal to youth.
The District Health Officer (DHO) of Islamabad, however, was reportedly unaware of the event and the NHSR&C has yet to release an official statement clarifying its stance on the show. The apparent negligence of the health ministry in allowing an event of this nature has sparked accusations of regulatory failure.
The lax oversight of this vape expo has triggered strong criticism of the NHSR&C, with demands for accountability regarding their handling of vaping regulations. Prof. Sohail Akhtar, a pulmonologist, stated that “vaping is not a safe alternative and can result in long-term health problems.” Health experts now urge the ministry to adopt stringent policies to curtail vaping products and implement educational campaigns warning the public about the dangers of e-cigarettes.
Allowing the vaping expo in Islamabad has set a concerning precedent, potentially opening the floodgates to unchecked marketing of nicotine products in Pakistan. For a country already grappling with tobacco-related health issues, the failure to control vaping’s proliferation is a stark reminder of the government’s oversight responsibilities and the need for a proactive approach to protect public health.
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