Pakistan’s smoking numbers light up, reaching 31 million

WEB DESK: The number of smokers in Pakistan has reached 31 million, of which approximately 170,000 die every year due to tobacco-related diseases.

Public health activists in Pakistan have expressed concern over the tobacco industry’s continued efforts to undermine tobacco control efforts. Social activists condemned the tobacco industry for disrupting tobacco control efforts in the months leading up to the budget.

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According to social activists, the misguided campaigns of the tobacco industry are aimed at diverting the attention of the public, especially the youth, policy makers, the media and the government of Pakistan from its primary objective of profiteering at the expense of public health.

Social activists say that the tobacco industry has left no stone unturned to expand its business while endangering the future of Pakistani youth and children by luring them to its harmful products.

These efforts include efforts to block or weaken tobacco control measures such as cigarette taxes, smoke-free laws, sales to minors, and promotional and advertising restrictions.

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The tobacco industry’s efforts to divert attention from public health initiatives include using celebrities and social media to attract young people, and advertising in a manner to downplay the harms of their products.

However, public health advocates, researchers, and policymakers continue to work to counter these efforts and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce tobacco use and its impact on public health.

Tobacco control has become a major issue in Pakistan, with smoking-related diseases placing a significant burden on the health care system. Despite being a signatory to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the number of smokers in Pakistan has reached 31 million.

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The cost and convenience of tobacco means that about 1,200 children start smoking every day and about 170,000 die each year from tobacco-related diseases.

In response to these alarming developments, social activists are calling on the government to be vigilant and resolute in its efforts to combat the tobacco epidemic.