Pakistan Government Suspends Activities of International Anti-Smoking Organizations

Jan.17

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

Bulgaria to Increase Tobacco and Nicotine Product Taxes in 2026, Expected to Generate Additional Revenue of 130 Million Euros

Bulgaria will raise excise taxes on cigarettes, cigars, heated tobacco, and e-cigarette liquids starting January 2026. The increase, approved under the 2026 state budget, will be implemented gradually over four years. The Ministry of Finance expects the reform to generate about €130 million in additional revenue by 2026.

Nov.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Product | FASTA Unveils New U.S. Offering, Citing “Made in USA” Status and Texas Compliance

FASTA has launched a new disposable, the FASTA ALIEN 51K, on U.S. online channels. Retailer Mi-Pod describes the product as “assembled and filled in the U.S.” and labels it as compliant with Texas e-cigarette registration requirements. The ALIEN 51K is now available via Mi-Pod and Vaping, with a suggested retail price of about $19.99.

Nov.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Spain’s Vape Bill Clears EU Internal Market Review, Moves to Parliament

Spain’s draft reform of its tobacco law has reached a critical stage. 2Firsts recently confirmed with Spanish government sources that the bill has completed the EU’s internal market review process and was approved by the Council of Ministers in early September. The decision means that, despite objections from the European Commission and several member states, Spain maintained its original provisions and has now moved the draft into parliamentary debate.

Sep.30

Hounslow Crackdown Seizes £33,000 of Illegal Vapes and Combustible Cigarettes

Hounslow Council’s Trading Standards team, working with Metropolitan Police units, conducted test purchases across the borough and found seven premises selling illegal tobacco. Subsequent raids at 16 premises in Chiswick, Feltham and Hounslow High Street seized 4,859 illegal vapes (≈£30,000), 3,806 combustible cigarettes (≈£3,000), 16kg of shisha and 11kg of chewing tobacco. Offences included oversized tanks, over-strength nicotine, and unregistered products.