Pakistan is home to a staggering 18 million tobacco users, ranking it as the eleventh largest consumer market for tobacco in the world.
As the nation grapples with the devastating consequences of tobacco-related diseases, it is high time to reevaluate our approach to regulation and explore alternatives for people who still choose to continue to smoke.
Traditional tobacco regulation often employs a heavy-handed, one-size-fits-all strategy that fails to acknowledge the diverse nature of tobacco products. A risk-proportionate legislation model recognizes that these products exist along a spectrum, each carrying different levels of harm. For instance, while cigarettes and cigars involve combustion and are more harmful, smoke-free alternatives like e-cigarettes, vape pens and heated tobacco products utilize principles of heating to heat e-liquids and tobacco, reducing the risk of respiratory issues commonly associated with traditional tobacco products.
It is crucial to educate regulatory bodies about the risk continuum of different tobacco products. Not all tobacco products are equally harmful.
By categorizing products based on their potential harm, regulatory bodies can tailor their approach to better protect public health.
The smoking rate in Pakistan in 2020 was 20.20% and tobacco claims over 163,600 lives annually in Pakistan, with nearly 31,000 deaths attributed to secondhand smoke exposure.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of smoke-free alternatives, it is crucial to strike the right balance and requires sensible regulation that recognizes the role of these alternatives in aiding adults who would otherwise continue smoking to transition away from cigarettes. This approach offers a viable solution for current smokers.
As Pakistan confronts the significant health challenges posed by smoking, it is imperative for regulatory bodies to reconsider their approach.
