Research Articles

A risky exclusion (October 22, 2023)
The tenth session of the Conference of Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, along with the third session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, will be held in Panama next month. The tenth session of COP will be held from November 15 to 20 while the MOP3 will be held from November 27 to 30. Click for detail

E-cigarettes are not a gateway into smoking (September 25, 2023)
The most comprehensive study to date investigating whether e-cigarettes are a gateway into or out of smoking finds that, at the population level, there is no sign that e-cigarettes and other alternative nicotine delivery products promote smoking. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter August 2023 (September 14, 2023)
It has been scientifically proven that the alternative products - E-cigarettes, snus, nicotine pouches and heat-not-burn - are less harmful than combustible smoking and can be used as effective smoking cessation aid. But it is so unfortunate that the misleading information and a prohibitionist approach towards the alternatives are the stumbling blocks in efforts to end combustible smoking. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter July 2023 (August 17, 2023)
Nearly 80% of doctors worldwide mistakenly believe nicotine causes lung cancer, thwarting efforts to hold one billion smokers quit, according to a survey conducted in 11 countries. The survey of 15000 doctors in 11 countries - China, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Africa, UK, and the US - has been conducted by Sermo and funded by the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World. The survey is aimed at developing actionable insights for accelerating an end to smoking. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter June 2023 (Muly 14, 2023)
It has now been almost two decades Pakistan ratified the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).Pakistan may have achieved some successes against tobacco use over the past 20 years, the dream of a future without tobacco smoking remains distant. Click for detail

The Potential Impact of E-cigarettes on the Life-Years Lost from Conventional Smoking in the Russian Federation (July 07, 2023)
E-cigarettes may help reduce smoking-related deaths in the Russian Federation, suggests a Healthy Initiative's study. According to their dynamic simulation model, there is significant potential for saving life-years in 88.1% of e-cigarette use scenarios. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter May 2023 (June 22, 2023)
ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan continues to grapple with the endemic of combustible smoking, the country needs to review, debate and adopt the groundbreaking advances in safer nicotine alternatives to achieve smoke free future sooner than later. Click for detail

Tobacco harm reduction (June 14, 2023)
In 2014, Pakistan made public the results of its Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS). The GATS is a global standard for systematically monitoring adult tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) and tracking key tobacco control indicators. It was termed as the "first nationally representative survey planned to collect data on tobacco use among adults as well as their knowledge and attitudes towards tobacco control measures." Click for detail

Is Tobacco harm reduction matter in helping people quit combustible cigarettes? (May 24, 2023)

Tobacco harm reduction means trying to lessen the harm caused by tobacco use without completely stopping the use of tobacco or nicotine. It is recognized that the best outcome is for people to stop using tobacco, but alternative methods to reduce harm are accepted. Harm reduction is not more important than preventing tobacco use or helping people quit, but instead works together with these measures.

Smoking initiation among marginalized communities in Pakistan (May 24, 2023)

Tobacco is a major cause of more than 8 million deaths every year worldwide. Direct tobacco use is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths while 1.2 million deaths are caused by exposure to second-hand smoke. Many diseases including lung, liver, oral, and throat cancers, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, and stroke are linked to tobacco use.

Balancing Consideration of the Risks and Benefits of E-Cigarettes (May 24, 2023)

Most of them are cigarette smokers. Compared to them, the users of e-cigarettes or heat-not-burn devices are miniscule - a few thousands. With only 100-odd vaping shops in Pakistan, most of the vapers are from the middle class and rich families, mainly because of the higher prices.

Dirty Ashtray Award for WHO! (May 24, 2023)

FCA's awards became a center of keen interest as and when countries met to discuss tobacco control. It became a regular feature of the Conference of Parties. Since 2000, these awards have been regularly distributed.

ARI Newsletter April 2023 (May 14, 2023)

One million smokers will be given a free vaping starter kit to encourage them to give up tobacco products. Pregnant women will also be offered up to £400 to stop smoking as part of a package of measures in England unveiled by the government on Tuesday.