The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services was informed that vaping devices could be misused for drug intoxication and other substances as lawmakers reviewed a proposed law to regulate electronic nicotine delivery systems.
The matter came under discussion during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination at Parliament House. The meeting was chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, with members examining a Private Member’s Bill titled “The Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, 2025.”
Officials from the Ministry of National Health Services briefed the committee on concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the use of vaping devices. They said the devices, if left unregulated, could potentially be used for drug intoxication and other substances.
The committee was also informed that several countries have already introduced restrictions or regulatory frameworks for electronic nicotine delivery systems.
During the meeting, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told lawmakers that vaping had become common among teenagers and young people.
“Vaping has become a fashion,” he said, adding that adolescents were often seen using the devices openly.
The minister also informed the committee that Pakistan does not manufacture vaping products domestically and that foreign exchange is spent on their import.
The discussion became tense when Senator Sarmad Ali raised concerns over the ministry’s response to the proposed legislation. He told the committee that the key objective of the bill was to prevent individuals under the age of 18 from using vaping devices and to limit their spread among children.
“Eighteen years of age was the central point of legislation,” Senator Sarmad Ali said during the meeting.
He added that he had worked with officials, including the Director General of Health, to address technical matters in the draft law.
In response, the federal health minister said the government was open to considering different viewpoints on the legislation and would provide responses to the concerns raised by members.
He also told the committee that countries had adopted different approaches to regulate vaping products and that Pakistan would also need to develop its own framework after consultations.
Following the discussion, the committee decided that further consultations were required on the proposed legislation. Members directed the Ministry of National Health Services to incorporate the proposed amendments and present a detailed briefing at the next meeting.
