Sale of E-Cigarettes and Vapes Banned in This District

Deputy Commissioner Haripur, Shoaib Abbas, has imposed a ban on e-cigarettes, vapes, and related nicotine products in Haripur district, effective from September 6, 2024, for 90 days under Section 144.

The ban prohibits the use of e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products in public transport and public spaces. Additionally, promoting these products through media platforms and displaying related pamphlets on walls or vehicles is forbidden. The sale of these items to individuals under 21 years of age is also banned.

The restrictions further prohibit the storage or sale of e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products within a 100-meter radius of schools, colleges, hospitals, and public parks.

Earlier today, the Sindh government imposed a ban on the sale of items commonly used for drug consumption, as part of efforts to curb narcotics use across the province. Following directives from Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Karachi’s commissioner issued a notification under Section 144, prohibiting the sale of wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, and ceramic pipes, roach clips, chillums, bongs, and marijuana pipes.

Local police Station House Officers (SHOs) are authorized to take action against violators under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Monday approved the country’s first-ever Cannabis Authority Bill after a delay of over four years due to jurisdictional disputes between ministries. During the committee meeting, its chairman, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, called for a thorough review of each clause, while Senators Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Musadik Masood Malik, and Nasir Mehmood advocated for the bill’s immediate passage.

PTI Senator Shibli Faraz, who had overseen the initial drafting of the bill, expressed concern about bypassing due consideration and warned that he would submit a dissenting note if the bill were passed hastily.