Islamabad | October 30, 2025 – A consultation and dissemination meeting was held at Serena Hotel Islamabad to present findings from two research studies on tobacco control: Tobacco Cessation Services in Pakistan: A Landscape Assessment and Plain Packaging for Tobacco and Nicotine Products in Pakistan: A Policy Review. The event was organized by Heartfile to advance dialogue on evidence-based tobacco control measures in the country.
The session brought together leading public health experts, tobacco control researchers, academics, civil society organizations, and representatives of provincial Tobacco Control Cells. Participants discussed the gaps and opportunities in strengthening tobacco cessation services nationwide and explored global best practices and policy options for implementing plain packaging for tobacco and nicotine products.
Speakers emphasized the need to scale up cessation services across primary healthcare settings, enhance integration of support systems, and guard against tobacco industry interference in packaging and labeling policies. The consultation served as a platform for evidence sharing, stakeholder feedback, and consensus-building on priority actions to strengthen tobacco control in Pakistan.