Pakistan is facing an alarming smoking crisis, with 31 million smokers nationwide and one of the highest smoking-related death rates in South Asia – 91.1 per 100,000 people. This far exceeds the regional average (78.1) and the global average (72.6), underscoring the severe public health burden. The economic impact is just as staggering, costing the country Rs615.07 billion every year – around 1.6% of its GDP.
Amid these pressing concerns, tobacco harm reduction (THR) emerges as a critical and urgent solution. Better alternatives such as oral nicotine pouches, vapes, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) allow adult smokers to transition away from smoking while significantly reducing their exposure to harmful chemicals. Despite their proven potential, these alternatives remain outside Pakistan’s national tobacco control framework, leaving millions of smokers without access to better options.
Recognizing the urgency, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting future generations from the dangers of smoking, acknowledging that tobacco harm reduction can help lower Pakistan’s health-related costs. The minister also pointed to global THR strategies that have successfully lowered smoking rates and reduced health burdens.
“Global THR policies provide a roadmap for reducing smoking-related health burdens. Exploring such strategies is imperative for Pakistan,” he stated. His remarks signal a crucial shift toward evidence-based harm reduction policies, which could help Pakistan combat its high smoking prevalence while alleviating economic pressures.
The recent global developments in THR further strengthen the case for Pakistan to act. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the marketing of ZYN oral nicotine pouches, recognizing them as a better alternative to smoking. Hence, Pakistan can take valuable insights from this scientific evaluation to develop policies that expand access to smoke-free nicotine products while ensuring quality standards and responsible marketing through regulation.
This article is written by Zara Fawad. She is a writer with a deep interest in public health, policy analysis, and tobacco harm reduction.
