Research Articles

Make tobacco awareness education part of school and college curricula (May 2025)

Tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge in Pakistan, with rising youth smoking rates and the persistent threat of tobacco-related diseases. Young people continue to be vulnerable to the lure of cigarettes. In Pakistan, 10.7% of youth (ages 13-15) use tobacco products, with 7.2% smoking tobacco and 5.3% using smokeless tobacco. Alarmingly, among youth who have ever smoked, nearly 40% first tried a cigarette before age 10, and 37.8% of youth (ages 13-15) are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, while 21% are exposed at home.

Protecting young people from smoking (March 2025)

Smoking remains a significant public health challenge in Pakistan, particularly among young people. Despite widespread awareness of its harmful effects, tobacco use continues to rise among adolescents and young adults. Recent studies indicate that 17.2% of Pakistan's population smokes, with male smokers accounting for 28.4% and female smokers 6%. The age group most affected falls between 25 to 44 years, but smoking is increasingly penetrating adolescent demographics.

Path to a Smokefree Future (May 2025)

As we are now in the month of World No Tobacco Day, which falls on May 31 every year, it is pertinent to review the smoking prevalence in Pakistan. Unfortunately, smoking prevalence remains a significant public health concern. The adult smoking rate is estimated to be around 20.2%, with approximately 15.6 million smokers in the country. Tobacco use continues to contribute to a substantial burden on the healthcare system.

Starting a healthier, happier life (April 2025)

The decision to quit smoking is a life-changing step forward. It is a step towards better health and a life without smoke. However, there are significant challenges in achieving the aim of quitting smoking. Withdrawal symptoms, mood swings, and cravings can make the journey tough. However, with persistence and the right strategies, a smoker can navigate this phase effectively and embrace a smoke-free life.

Role of parents in preventing smoking among children (April 2025)

Smoking continues to be a significant health issue worldwide, including in Pakistan, where tobacco consumption is deeply rooted in societal habits and cultural practices. Despite increasing awareness about its harmful effects, smoking remains a challenge, especially among youth who are often vulnerable to peer pressure and media influence.

Addressing Pakistan's Smoking Crisis (March 2025)
When one is grappled with the question of ending smoking in Pakistan, one is overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge. How can a country with more than 31 million tobacco users achieve the target of a smoke-free country? A tall order, indeed. More than half of the tobacco users – 17.3 million - are smokers. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter February 2025 (March 12, 2025)
Alternative Research Initiative (ARI) and its Punjab partners held meetings with adult smokers, vapers, and tobacco users to help them quit and achieve a smoke-free Pakistan. In February, the meetings were conducted by Future Development Foundation in Sargodha, Maimar Development Organization in Faisalabad, Sun Consultant and Enterprises Services in Multan, Dove Foundation in Bahawalpur, Al-Emaan Development Organization in Dera Ghazi Khan, and Dove Foundation in Lahore. Click for detail

Tobacco use - still a public health challenge (February 2025)

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, claiming millions of lives annually. Despite widespread awareness of its harmful effects, tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in countries like Pakistan.

ARI Newsletter January 2025 (February 17, 2025)
Alternative Research Initiative (ARI) and its Sindh partners have conducted meetings with adult smokers, vapers and tobacco users, aiming to help adult smokers quit and achieve a smoke-free Pakistan. Click for detail

Lack of smoking cessation services - a missing link in Pakistan’s tobacco control (February 07, 2025)

After two decades of campaigns against smoking, Pakistan has reported an annual death rate from smoking of 91.1 per 100,000 people, notably higher than the averages for South Asia (78.1) and the rest of the world (72.6). This is an extremely worrying development for a country that the World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded for its tobacco control initiatives.

ARI Newsletter December 2024 (February 07, 2025)
The Alternative Research Initiative (ARI) and its partner organizations have conducted awareness sessions on ending smoking in 12 districts, six each in Punjab and Sindh, aiming to engage local communities and students in efforts to save youth from smoking, help adults quit, and achieve a smoke-free Pakistan. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter November 2024 (December 31, 2024)
Sweden has made anti-smoking history by becoming the first country in the world to be officially declared 'smoke free,' new government figures reveal. The data, released by Sweden's public health agency, shows that just 4.5 per cent of Swedish-born adults now smoke - well under the globally recognized benchmark of five per cent to achieve smoke free status. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter October 2024 (November 2024)
Afnan, 29, a businessman, started smoking back in 2010 when he was 14. He soon became hooked and started consuming 20 cigarettes a day, leading to severe health issues, including sinus, chest infection, tiredness, and headache. In February 2024, he switched to vaping to overcome his health problems, and it worked. He successfully quit smoking after making the switch but added that vaping also led to health problems. "Vaping helped me quit smoking, but now, my stomach remains upset," Afnan shared his quit-smoking experience with the Alternative Research Initiative (ARI) in Blue Area, Islamabad. Click for detail