Regarding efforts against smoking, Pakistan has embraced several WHO-recommended measures. Large health warnings on items, a ban on national television, radio, and print media advertising, and—most importantly—the entire prohibition of smoking in 90% of public areas are all examples of this.
Yet, two of the leading causes of death in Pakistan, namely heart disease and stroke, continue to be linked to tobacco use. Despite an overall tobacco smoking rate of 13.1%, the prevalence of toxic smokeless tobacco (SLT) products remains high, as 12.4% of the population uses Naswar.
Sustaining Pakistan’s ongoing tobacco control initiatives is crucial. However, a new report emphasises the importance of embracing three additional, equally pivotal measures to avoid 1,200,000 premature deaths in Pakistan. These measures include implementing tobacco harm reduction (THR) policies, expanding the accessibility of THR products, and enhancing the availability of diagnostics and treatment for tobacco-related illnesses.
Greater accessibility and endorsement of tobacco harm reduction (THR) products can benefit both tobacco smokers and users of smokeless products by providing alternatives like oral nicotine pouches and vaping. The report demonstrates that approximately 6.2% of the population already engages with e-cigarettes, highlighting the potential for an increased success rate in strategy through creating increased accessibility.
Moreover, prioritising early detection and affordable treatment “should lead to rapid declines in highly preventable oral cancers” and will specifically address a segment of the population that the healthcare system might have otherwise overlooked.
These three steps hold importance beyond Pakistan’s borders. While the report demonstrates the potential to save lives in Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, and South Africa, it also delves into the broader implications of these practices for Southeast Asia as a whole.
