KARACHI: In a decisive move prioritizing public health, the District Administration East Karachi has directed the management of Expo Centre Karachi to suspend the upcoming "MOFF Karachi Vape Show", originally scheduled for May 31 to June 1, 2025.
The directive came after the Provincial Tobacco Control Cell Sindh raised serious concerns about the potential health risks and regulatory violations associated with the event. The expo aimed to showcase and promote vaping devices and e-cigarettes, a sector increasingly scrutinized for its appeal to youth and its portrayal as a “safer” alternative to traditional tobacco products.
According to an official letter issued by the Deputy Commissioner Karachi East, the promotion of such products without oversight threatens to undermine significant strides made by health authorities and civil society in curbing tobacco and nicotine use in Pakistan. The letter also highlighted that the event lacked a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant regulatory bodies, rendering it unauthorized.
As a result, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the Expo Centre Karachi to halt all preparations for the event immediately. The matter was further classified as sensitive due to its implications for public health and regulatory enforcement.
The suspension notice was formally communicated to the Deputy Director of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), with copies sent to the Commissioner Karachi Division, Secretary Health Department Sindh, Deputy Inspector General of Police Karachi East, and the Deputy Director General of the Tobacco Control Cell.
Public health experts and anti-tobacco advocates have welcomed the swift and coordinated response, describing it as a vital step in safeguarding youth and upholding Pakistan’s national tobacco control commitments.
“Events like these can glamorize harmful products under the guise of innovation,” one public health official commented. “This action sends a strong message that public safety takes precedence over commercial interests.”
