Around 22.7m people use tobacco in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan needs to prioritise science-based regulation of smoke-free alternatives as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce smoking-related harm. This was stated by senior Philip Morris International officials at a media briefing held here on Tuesday. Both the international experts pointed out that smoking had been the leading cause of cancer in Pakistan, and nearly 164,000…
In Pakistan, approximately 22.7 million individuals currently use tobacco, with around 14 million adults smoking tobacco, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2024. Smoking remains the leading cause of cancer in the country, resulting in nearly 164,000 tobacco-related deaths each year. Despite this, only 24.1 percent of smokers made a quit attempt in the past 12 months, a figure that has remained relatively unchanged since 2014.
Senior Philip Morris International officials emphasized that smoking is undeniably harmful, but the real question is how Pakistan can accelerate the decline in smoking while implementing effective regulatory oversight, especially targeting youth protection and robust quality standards. Both international experts highlighted that smoking has led to an overwhelming majority of smoking-related diseases due to the toxic chemicals produced during combustion.
They pointed out that smoke-free alternatives could provide a pathway for adults who continue smoking despite knowing the risks. Japan and Sweden have already achieved significant reductions in adult smoking prevalence following the adoption of heated tobacco products and low daily smoking rates, respectively. The US FDA also authorized a modified-risk claim for ZYN nicotine pouch products after extensive scientific review.
The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of smokers and save lives, but for adults who continue smoking, access to regulated smoke-free alternatives should be considered.
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