Pakistan Government Suspends Activities of International Anti-Smoking Organizations

Jan.17.2025

Pakistan government accuses two international anti-smoking organizations of unauthorized activities and requests suspension of their operations.

According to a report by Sigmagazine on January 15th, the Pakistani government has accused two international anti-smoking organizations, "Tobacco-Free Kids" and "Vital Strategies," of acting too arbitrarily and has requested the suspension of their activities. These two organizations are well-known for their strong opposition to e-cigarettes and for being funded by American billionaire Michael Bloomberg.

According to reports, the Pakistani Ministry of Interior has ordered the ban on the activities of these two organizations and has sent a letter to relevant departments in all provinces of the country. Additionally, the State Bank of Pakistan has frozen the accounts of these two organizations as per the request of the Ministry of Interior. Copies of the letter received by local media outlets show that these organizations are accused of operating in Pakistan without authorization and without being properly registered with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, or the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.

According to reports, these two organizations have been collaborating with the National Health Services Regulation and Coordination Department of Pakistan for many years.

References:

[1] Il Pakistan interdice due organizzazioni antivaping internazionali

Also Read:

[1] Anti-tobacco Activists in Pakistan Calls for Increase in Tobacco Tax to Address Health Crisis

[2] Call for Immediate Ban on E-cigarette Sales in Pakistan

[3] BAT Warns Pakistan Government Against Further Tax Increase

#Legislation #E-cigarettes #Asia #Pakistan

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

U.S. Court Rules Zyn Marketing Dispute Can Proceed, Rejects Philip Morris International’s Bid to Dismiss

A U.S. federal court in Florida denied Philip Morris International and its subsidiaries’ motion to dismiss, allowing consumers to proceed with claims under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act alleging that Zyn nicotine pouches’ “tobacco-free” marketing is misleading. The court held that the allegations do not amount to a fraud claim and may move forward to the merits stage.

Dec.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai

German Environment Minister Backs Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes, Citing Safety Risks

Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has expressed clear support for banning disposable e-cigarettes, citing safety hazards, environmental damage, and waste management risks. While the ban has not yet been finalized, Germany’s parliament has instructed the government to examine the proposal. Several European countries, including Belgium, France, and the UK, have already implemented similar bans.

Dec.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Irish Cabinet to Consider Bill Banning Sale of Single-Use Vapes

Ireland’s Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, will seek Cabinet approval today for the publication of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, which proposes banning the retail sale of single-use or disposable vapes six months after becoming law. The measure aims to address the growing use of disposable vapes, particularly among young people, and close regulatory gaps around emerging nicotine products such as pouches.

Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai

KT&G Nears ASF Acquisition, Preparing Wide Regional Nicotine Pouch Expansion

South Korean outlet nate reports that KT&G expects to finalize its acquisition of Nordic nicotine pouch maker ASF within this year. Beginning next year, the company plans to expand the business well beyond ASF’s current five Nordic markets to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America, supported by its cooperation framework with Altria.