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Smoking in Pakistan

According to the National Tobacco Control Strategy 2022-2030, as of February 2024, there were approximately 15.6 million smokers in Pakistan. This figure represents a decline from 17.5 million smokers in 2022 and 18.3 million in 2020, indicating a downward trend in smoking over recent years. The adult smoking prevalence rate in 2023 was reported at 12.4%, a slight increase from 12% in 2022 but a decrease from 13.1% in 2020. The prevalence among males in 2023 was 22.2%, down from 22.7% in 2020, while female prevalence was 2.1% in 2023, a slight decrease from 2.7% in 2022. The adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence was 11.5% with 20.1% among males and only 2% among females. In 2021, tobacco smoking was responsible for 7.59% of all deaths in the country, equating to 130,593 tobacco-related fatalities, with males accounting for 106,028 and females 24,565. Despite a reduction in recent years, these prevalence and mortality statistics underscore the ongoing public health challenge posed by tobacco smoking in Pakistan, informing government strategies aimed at reducing tobacco health impacts.

Read articles from Pakistan

January 08, 2025 by dailyausaf.com

Tobacco-Free Kids, Indus Hospital’s alleged involvement in money laundering exposed

State Bank of Pakistan froze INGOs' accounts Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies for illegal activities in Pakistan. Local NGOs funded by these INGOs are not affected. Allegations of money laundering involving local NGOs and businesses like Wasabai were reported. Vital Strategies has operational violations and alleged links to India. Bruce Mandell chairs Vital Strategies and has ties to a Jewish family.

January 08, 2025 by nation.com.pk

Ministry criticizes Bloomberg for overlooking INGOs' corruption in Pakistan as operations are halted

Pakistan's Ministry of Interior's recent ban on INGOs like CTFK and Vital Strategies has sparked public interest due to alleged illegal activities. CTFK's Country Manager faced embezzlement accusations, raising questions about their operations. Mustehkam Pakistan highlighted the need for accountability. The ban was imposed for non-registration and violation of laws. Financial irregularities could have led Pakistan back on the FATF grey list. Funds misuse and alleged support for illicit mafias have damaged tobacco control efforts. The INGOs' influence on policy-making and lack of transparency were concerning. Stricter oversight is crucial to align INGOs' work with Pakistan's priorities and legal framework, safeguarding national interests and public health.

November 15, 2024 by springer.com

Lady Health Workers Smoking Cessation Initiative in Rural Pakistan

In Pakistan, tobacco smoking and indoor smoke from cooking fires pose significant health risks. Lady Health Workers (LHWs) play a crucial role in improving healthcare access, particularly in rural areas. This study aimed to explore the practicality of training LHWs to deliver health education aimed at reducing household exposure to tobacco smoke and indoor biomass smoke, while also documenting baseline exposure levels and assessing the immediate impact on household awareness and intentions to reduce exposure.

November 08, 2024 by nation.com.pk

Immediate regulation sought on emerging tobacco, nicotine products

The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) urges immediate regulation of emerging tobacco and nicotine products in Pakistan due to their increasing popularity among children and youth. These products pose health risks and contribute to a growing tobacco epidemic. Dr. Khalil Ahmad warns that the tobacco industry's marketing of these products misleads young users about their safety, leading to addiction. He stresses the need for urgent government intervention to protect future generations and reduce overall tobacco consumption. SPARC advocates for stringent policies to curb the sale and production of these harmful products, emphasizing the societal and health implications of widespread nicotine addiction.

September 11, 2024 by tribune.com.pk

Haripur bans sale of e-cigarettes and vapes as part of 90-day anti-nicotine crackdown

Deputy Commissioner Haripur has banned e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products in the district under Section 144 for 90 days starting September 6, 2024. Restrictions include banning their use in public transport and spaces, prohibiting promotion through media, selling to individuals under 21, and storage within 100 meters of certain places. Meanwhile, the Sindh government has also imposed a ban on items used for drug consumption in Karachi, with penalties under Section 188 PPC. The Senate Standing Committee approved the Cannabis Authority Bill after a four-year delay, facing disagreements over clauses during the meeting.

May 20, 2024 by nation.com.pk

WHO study links illicit cigarettes sale with health issues

The WHO expresses concern over rising tobacco-related deaths in Pakistan due to factors like illicit cigarette trade and lax law enforcement. A study highlights the illicit market at 9-17%, with an unknown counterfeit extent. Increasing tobacco prices is seen as key to reducing consumption. A survey in Islamabad shows 23% illicit market share, with 47% smuggled, 45% non-tax paid, and 8% counterfeit cigarettes.

January 30, 2024 by nation.com.pk

KP govt urged to put ban on e-cigarettes, vapes

PESHAWAR - Public Health Stakeholders of Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa on Monday called for unanimous and aggressive efforts to permanently ban the use and sale of e-cigarettes and vapes in the province for the best interest of public health and sustainable tobacco control. Blue Veins, a civil society organ­isation, conducted a public health stakeholder consultation to delib­erate on the interim ban by the KP government on vapes and e-ciga­rettes.

January 25, 2024 by tnnenglish.com

Urgent Regulations Needed for Tobacco Harm-Reduction Products in Pakistan

Supporting the decision to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes to minors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Alternative Research Initiative (ARI) reiterated its call for sensibly regulating tobacco harm-reduction products in Pakistan.

August 28, 2023 by dawn.com

More teens blowing away life in puffs of e-cigarettes, study warns

Despite having sufficient knowledge about the potential health risks associated with nicotine exposure, an increasing number of young people are getting hooked on e-cigarettes, smoking devices that are powered by a battery, says a study recently published in an online journal. Over 800 individuals with mean age 29.6 years participated in the study during which 43.4 per cent respondents reported using e-cigarettes. “This is significantly higher than a 2017 study conducted among adolescents when prevalence of e-cigarettes was just 24 per cent. The current study also found that the mean age at which people start using e-cigarettes is 17 years and that 58 per cent of people believe smoking makes young people look ‘cool’,” it says.

September 05, 2022 by pakistantoday.com.pk

Health activists underscore media’s role to save youth from harmful emerging Tobacco products

Media can play a strong role to counter the deceptive campaigns of tobacco industry to promote harmful emerging tobacco products in Pakistani youth, health activists said during a consultation organized by Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC).

The health activists and the senior journalists explored the need to ban emerging products such as nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices, as they are becoming increasingly popular among Pakistani youth due to elaborate advertisement and promotional campaigns, said in a press release issued here on Sunday.