Protect young people from all tobacco products

Dear Editor,

There can be no two opinions that young people should be kept away from every kind of tobacco use at every cost. However, the reality is otherwise. Young people are not only smoking cigarettes, but they are also using alternative products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. With regards to smoking, Pakistan has regulations to stop sale of cigarettes to young people, but their implementation is weak or completely missing. When it comes to alternative tobacco products, there is no official policy and there is little data available about their use. The problem of smoking is much bigger in size and use than the alternative tobacco products. The first priority should be to strictly implement the current regulations on stopping smoking among young people. Secondly, young people should be informed again and again that smoking is a lifelong health risk. Thirdly, there is a need for formulating policies regarding the use of alternative tobacco products, with the bottom line that young people under no circumstances should use them.