March 2023 Newsletter

This newsletter begins with a consultation meeting in Bahawalpur organized by Alternative Research Initiative. Participants said Pakistan should make tobacco harm reduction part of its national tobacco-control policy and increase the role of health practitioners in smoking cessation efforts. They were told that Pakistan has nearly 29 million tobacco users, while some estimates place the number at 31 million.

The consultation highlighted that Pakistan carries a heavy health and economic burden because of combustible smoking. The economic cost of smoking in 2019 was reported as Rs615.07 billion, equal to 1.6% of Pakistan’s GDP. Speakers said most smoking-related risk comes from smoke, tar, and toxic gases produced by burning tobacco. They also said many smokers in Pakistan do not know where to seek help when they want to quit.

The newsletter explains that health professionals are a missing link in the fight against smoking. If doctors and other health practitioners are better informed about quitting support and less harmful alternatives, they can guide smokers more effectively. The issue says a smoke-free Pakistan is possible before 2030, but this requires accessible and affordable cessation services, sensible regulation of harm-reduction products, and inclusion of smokers in tobacco-control efforts.

The issue also includes international research and policy updates. One article shares vaping facts for health professionals and notes that many smokers do not understand the lower risk of vaping compared with smoking. Another article reports a study finding no statistically significant link between exclusive use of electronic nicotine products and cardiovascular disease, while cigarette smoking was linked with higher risk. Other articles discuss Sweden’s low smoking rate, New Zealand’s debate on pharmacy-only vapes, Malaysia’s call for vape-product regulation, and the idea that science-based alternatives can help reduce cigarette smoking.