The Endit Foundation has launched “Vaping Voices: Exploring Tobacco Harm Reduction in Lahore”, describing it as Pakistan’s most extensive survey to date on vaping behaviour and tobacco harm reduction.
The report, unveiled at the Islamabad National Press Club, highlights how a growing number of smokers in Lahore are turning to electronic cigarettes in an effort to reduce or quit conventional tobacco use, despite the absence of formal cessation support and clear regulatory oversight.
According to the study, Pakistan records more than 163,500 tobacco-related deaths annually, while the economic burden caused by tobacco use, estimated at Rs615 billion in 2019, could rise to nearly Rs926 billion by the end of 2025 if no effective measures are introduced.
The survey findings suggest that many smokers are independently adopting vaping as a harm-reduction strategy, though researchers also warned of increasing concerns over youth access and the lack of public awareness regarding vaping risks and regulations.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Ziauddin Islam, CEO of Endit Foundation, said reduced-risk nicotine alternatives were already being widely used in Pakistan, but policymakers had yet to respond with evidence-based regulation and public health guidance.
The survey, conducted in September 2025, gathered responses from 1,710 current or former vape users recruited from 100 vape shops across 10 commercial markets in Lahore. Participants shared information regarding their smoking history, quit attempts, health experiences, and perceptions about vaping.
Among 1,058 respondents with a history of cigarette smoking, 60% said vaping had helped reduce their tobacco consumption, including 53% who reported a significant reduction. Another 13% said they had completely quit smoking within the previous year without any formal medical or cessation support.
Researchers found that 94% of those who quit smoking entirely did so within six months of starting vaping, while 65% said they had either attempted or planned to quit smoking through vaping.
Dr Islam said the findings reflected an urgent need for credible public health communication on tobacco harm reduction, arguing that public scepticism stemmed largely from the lack of government-led awareness efforts.
Muhammad Faisal, Director of Research at Endit Foundation, said the absence of enforcement regarding age restrictions on vaping products indicated a broader regulatory gap rather than the failure of an existing policy.
Based on the report’s findings, the foundation urged the Ministry of National Health Services and relevant regulators to adopt a comprehensive policy framework for tobacco harm reduction and vaping regulation.
The Endit Foundation is a public health organisation focused on research, advocacy, and evidence-based policy development related to reduced-risk nicotine products in Pakistan.
