With 31 million smokers across the country, Pakistan is facing a growing smoking crisis. The country’s smoking-related death rate – 91.1 per 100,000 people – is among the highest in South Asia, surpassing both the regional (78.1) and global (72.6) averages. Beyond the public health consequences, the economic toll is staggering, with smoking-related costs amounting to Rs615.07 billion annually – about 1.6% of Pakistan’s GDP.
As the country searches for solutions, tobacco harm reduction (THR) is emerging as a practical approach. Products like oral nicotine pouches, vapes, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) offer adult smokers alternatives that significantly reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. However, despite their potential to help reduce smoking-related harm, these products are still not included in Pakistan’s national tobacco control policies, limiting access for millions of smokers.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik has reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing smoking-related harm. He acknowledged that adopting THR strategies could ease Pakistan’s healthcare burden and pointed to global examples where harm reduction policies have successfully lowered smoking rates. “Global THR policies provide a roadmap for reducing smoking-related health burdens. Exploring such strategies is imperative for Pakistan,” he emphasized. His statement marks a critical step toward evidence-based policies that could help curb Pakistan’s smoking rates while reducing economic strain.
Recent international developments add further weight to this argument. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the marketing of ZYN oral nicotine pouches, recognizing them as a better alternative to smoking. Pakistan can take valuable insights from this development to create policies that expand access to smoke-free nicotine products while ensuring quality standards and responsible marketing.
