In a major move to protect the youth from nicotine addiction, a new bill has been introduced in the Senate Standing Committee on Health to strictly regulate the sale and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, commonly known as vapes and e-cigarettes, in the federal capital.
The Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, tabled by Senator Sarmad Ali, comes amid growing concern over the “vaping epidemic” among students.
The proposed legislation introduces a comprehensive framework to control the import, marketing and distribution of these products.
The bill’s most stringent provision is a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes within 50 meters of any school, college or educational institution.
The measure aims to dismantle the easy access students currently have to flavored nicotine products. In addition, the bill proposes a strict age limit that makes it illegal to sell vapes to people under 18.
The legislation seeks to treat vaping in the same way as traditional tobacco products. If passed, vaping would be banned in public transport, government offices, public parks and other public spaces.
The bill also calls for a total blackout of vape advertising. This includes a ban on promoting e-cigarettes on television, social media and billboards, specifically targeting marketing tactics that appeal to minors.
Meanwhile, to curb the sale of dangerous, unregulated e-liquids, the bill calls for nicotine caps that require a maximum nicotine concentration of 40mg/ml. It was also stated that all products must have child-proof and tamper-proof packaging, and that mandatory health warnings must be visible on each packaging.
The bill stated that e-commerce platforms that sell vapes will be required by law to implement robust age verification systems.
The bill has significant legal weight. Violators of age and location restrictions can face an instant fine of Rs50,000 for a first offence. Repeat offenders and those found to be smuggling non-standard e-liquids could face even higher fines and potential prosecution.
The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services recently discussed the draft, with officials stressing that while e-cigarettes are often marketed as “safe,” they pose long-term health risks to the respiratory systems of young users.
The bill is currently being reviewed by relevant ministries to ensure that a comprehensive enforcement mechanism is in place before it becomes law.
Reports say that there has been an alarming increase in vaping among young people in Pakistan. In a recent survey of college and university students in Karachi, the prevalence of vaping was found to be 68 percent.
The recent increase in vaping-related illnesses and deaths worldwide is a stark reminder of the dangers of these products. Nicotine addiction, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular disease are just a few of the health risks associated with vaping. Research has so far identified over 2,000 toxins in each puff of vape.
