Parents urged to play active role in preventing youth access to tobacco

KARACHI: The Entrepreneurship and Youth Development Society (EYDS) has called for greater awareness among parents and caregivers to help prevent young people’s access to tobacco and nicotine products. The call was made at a media meetup organized by the EYDS under its Youth Access Prevention Initiative (YAP), held under the theme “Youth at Home”. The discussion focused on the role of the home and family environment in preventing youth access, with speakers stressing the need for parents and caregivers to remain aware of the environments and influences surrounding young people, including peer and neighborhood influences. Speaking on the occasion, EYDS Vice President Shaista Ayesha said youth access prevention was a shared responsibility and that parents and caregivers could contribute by staying informed and maintaining constructive conversations with young people when concerns about potential exposure arose. The session also highlighted the role of educational institutions and community gatekeepers in strengthening prevention efforts as part of YAP’s broader approach. YAP Programme Manager Ayesha Zuberi emphasized the importance of responsible communication in addressing youth access to tobacco and nicotine. She noted that accurate, balanced and non-sensational reporting can strengthen public awareness and encourage informed discussion, while avoiding fear, blame or stigma around young people and their families. The participants also discussed the importance of responsible media coverage in improving public understanding of youth access prevention and encouraging prevention-focused conversations at home and in the wider community. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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