The WPC is meeting today August 25 , to discuss tobacco control and Pakistan’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The meeting will begin at 10 am at the WPC office, where members of the working council will receive a briefing and participate in a discussion led by the Aurat Publication and Information Service Foundation.

The session will focus on tobacco control and Pakistan’s obligations under the framework. Members are also expected to consider relevant international best practices in tobacco control and their potential relevance to Pakistan.

The WHO framework is an international treaty aimed at strengthening measures to reduce tobacco consumption and address the health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco use. Pakistan is a party to the convention and has undertaken commitments to implement measures in line with its provisions.

Under the WHO Framework, the core provisions set global standards to reduce both the demand and supply of tobacco while establishing governance safeguards. Key demand reduction provisions include: Article Six, tax and price increases to curb consumption; Article Eight, 100 percent smoke free public spaces; Article 11, prominent health warnings on packaging covering at least 30 percent to 50 or more of the packaging; and Article 13, comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

On the supply side, the framework targets illicit trade where Article 15, bans tobacco sales to minors under 18; Article 16 promotes sustainable economic alternatives for tobacco growers; Article 17, cross-cutting obligations mandate protecting public health policies from tobacco industry interference; Article 5, mitigating the environmental impacts of tobacco cultivation and waste; Article 18, and maintaining robust surveillance systems to track health outcomes.

By examining current legislative gaps against these international standards, the WPC session aims to drive targeted parliamentary action and protect public health across Pakistan. The discussion before the WPC Working Council is expected to provide parliamentarians an opportunity to examine Pakistan’s existing tobacco control measures and consider ways to strengthen policy and implementation.

The meeting is expected to bring together senior members of the WPCs, including its Secretary Shahida Rehmani and Treasurer Shahida Begum, along with members of the NA and Senate such as Tahira Aurangzeb, Shehla Raza, Rana Ansar, Farukh Khan, Munaza Hassan, Ayesha Nazir, Naeema Kishwar, Samina Mumtaz Zehri and Dr Zarka Suharwardy Taimur.

The meeting comes as parliamentarians and officials discuss further taxes on the cigarette industry.