ISLAMABAD – Anti-tobacco experts have stated that over 1200 young people in Pakistan start smoking every day, which requires the special attention of stakeholders. The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) recently organized a stakeholder discussion on World Tobacco Day, focusing on the theme of Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.
Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Outreach at SDPI, presented data from 2022, revealing that over 37 million adolescents aged 13-15 worldwide use tobacco. Notably, in the WHO European Region, 11.5 percent of boys and 10.1 percent of girls in this age group are tobacco users. Naqvi also highlighted the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches among youth, with 12.5 percent of adolescents in the European Region using e-cigarettes in 2022.
Naqvi emphasized the alarming statistics in Pakistan, with over 1200 children starting tobacco use daily, and the widespread presence of electronic tobacco and nicotine products in educational institutions. He pointed out that the tobacco industry targets youth to replace the millions of customers lost annually to death or cessation, using appealing products and advertising tactics aimed at children and adolescents through social media and streaming platforms.
Dr. Amina Khan, Executive Director of The Initiative, stated that one out of three people die from tobacco use if they do not quit, and 1200 children between the ages of 6-15 start smoking every day in Pakistan. She highlighted the concerning fact that two out of five adult smokers start smoking at the age of 10.
Dr Khan stressed the need for Pakistan to keep abreast of the tobacco industry’s emerging trends, such as vapes, Velo, and smokeless tobacco products, which currently do not fall under the legislation. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing enforcement, policy, and awareness efforts to prevent the availability of single cigarettes and tobacco advertisements.
Dr Minhaj Us Siraj, CEO of Health Syndicate, brought attention to the tobacco industry’s engagement with children through labour in tobacco fields and mentioned the “green leaf disease.” He emphasized the importance of civil society’s support in achieving progress in this area.
Dr. Waseem Janjua, Research Fellow at SDPI, highlighted the misleading tactics used by the tobacco industry through advertisements promoting tobacco products, mentioning a study in the US that revealed a $7.62 billion investment in tobacco-promoting advertisements.
