Blue Veins and the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco Control, a CSO-led alliance working to lead tobacco control initiatives, have requested that Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haji Ghulam Ali, play an influential role in preventing the use of e-cigarettes and vapes among the young population.
In a letter to Governor KP Haji Ghulam Ali, both Blue Veins and the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco Control brought his attention to a pressing issue that is affecting the youth of the province.”The leadership of Governor Haji Ghulam Ali can set a precedent for other provinces of Pakistan, showcasing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a role model for proactive and preventive health governance,” reads the letter.
A concerning rise in the use of e-cigarettes and vapes has been observed among youngsters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the letter. These devices, which are often perceived and claimed to be safer alternatives to traditional tobacco products, are laden with highly addictive nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Their growing prevalence, especially among youth and women, poses a significant public health challenge. What is particularly alarming is the absence of a comprehensive federal or provincial policy to regulate the sale and use of these products.