A private member bill, the Naswar Bill 2026, has been introduced in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to regulate the naswar trade and introduce penalties for misuse and public spitting.
According to Beyond Time News, the bill has been tabled by PML-N lawmaker Aamna Sardar to bring the smokeless tobacco sector under a formal legal framework.
Proposed Regulations
The bill calls for mandatory licensing for production and sale of naswar, along with restrictions near schools, madrassas, and hospitals. It also proposes a ban on sales to minors and requires sealed packaging.
Punjab Launches Major Health Disease Prevention Drive
Fines and Penalties
Under the draft, selling without a license may result in a fine of up to Rs30,000. Selling to minors could lead to a Rs50,000 fine and up to one year in prison. Public spitting of naswar is proposed to carry a Rs1,000 fine.
Digital Sales Ban
The legislation also seeks to ban online sales, social media promotion, and free distribution of naswar products.
Conclusion
The bill aims to regulate a widely used but largely unregulated product while focusing on public health protection. According to Beyond Time News, it introduces a structured approach to control naswar sales and usage in the province.
