Kathmandu — Minister for Health and Population Dr. Sudha Sharma Gautam has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to prioritizing the regulation and control of tobacco products, including vapes and e-cigarettes.

The commitment was expressed during a meeting between Minister Sharma and Dr. Tara Singh Bam, Director of the Asia–Pacific Office of Vital Strategies, based in Singapore. During the discussion, Minister Sharma emphasized that regulating emerging nicotine products such as vapes and e-cigarettes has become an urgent public health priority for the Ministry.

Dr. Bam noted that Vital Strategies has been continuously supporting Nepal’s efforts in tobacco control and regulation. He stressed that the next critical focus should be the effective enforcement of existing laws. Highlighting concerns about rising nicotine use among younger populations, he described vapes and e-cigarettes as major obstacles to the goal of creating a nicotine-free generation. He urged the Ministry of Health and Population to take immediate and decisive steps to regulate these products.

In response, Minister Sharma stated that the ministry remains fully committed to tobacco control and regulation. She acknowledged that the implementation of certain directives has faced challenges due to ongoing court cases but assured that solutions would be explored through further consultation and dialogue. She also reiterated the ministry’s intention to take necessary initiatives to strengthen the regulation and control of e-cigarettes and vapes.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Bhakta KC from the Ministry of Health and Population, along with Dr. Pamir Gautam, Research Officer, and Amit Bam from Action Nepal, an organization actively engaged in tobacco control.

Separately, Dr. Bam also met with Minister for Forests and Environment Madhav Chaulagain. Minister Chaulagain, who has a background in public health, expressed his full support for initiatives introduced by the Ministry of Health and Population in the interest of public health. He emphasized that tobacco control is crucial not only for public health but also from an environmental perspective. He assured that his ministry would extend all possible cooperation within its mandate.