Addicted to tobacco revenue: Experts demand government break industry grip on public health

Health experts call for higher tobacco taxes, tighter regulation of nicotine products, and nationwide cessation clinics as Pakistan faces mounting deaths and economic losses from smoking.

IV Report

KARACHI: Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, chest disease specialists at an event organised by the Aga Khan University (AKU) in collaboration with the Pakistan Chest Society (PCS) on May 29 called on the government to take immediate action against the sale and use of tobacco products. They warned that smoking not only claims countless productive lives but also places a massive burden on Pakistan's healthcare system, forcing the government to divert substantial revenues to treat tobacco-related diseases.

The experts recommended a series of urgent policy measures to combat tobacco use. These included raising taxes on tobacco products to reduce consumption and generate revenue for public health initiatives; regulating emerging nicotine products to restrict access and marketing to youth; and launching targeted public awareness campaigns to inform both young people and adults about the health dangers associated with tobacco and nicotine consumption.

Speaking at the event, specialists highlighted the devastating impact of tobacco on public health, the economy, and the environment. "Tobacco use is a major public health crisis in Pakistan—it is the leading cause of cancer, heart diseases, and lung diseases—imposing an economic burden of around Rs700 billion annually," they stated.

Prof Javaid Khan, senior pulmonologist at AKU and president of the PCS Sindh chapter, stressed the urgency of tackling the tobacco epidemic in Pakistan. He called for the establishment of smoking cessation clinics in all major teaching hospitals across the country.

In a presentation, Dr Khan underscored how tobacco companies are now aggressively marketing newer nicotine products such as nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, which, he said, are just as harmful as conventional cigarettes.

Citing researches, Dr Khan revealed that over 170,000 people die in Pakistan every year due to tobacco-related diseases. “Even smoking as few as one to four cigarettes daily triples the risk of death from heart and lung disease. More than 50% of lung cancer cases are directly linked to smoking—and these are preventable deaths,” he said.

He further remarked, “Unfortunately, our governments seem addicted to tobacco revenue. In countries with strong rule of law, tobacco use declines. We must raise our voices on this pressing public health issue.”

Dr Khan also presented global data, stating that as of 2022, 81 million people worldwide used e-cigarettes. Referring to a 2023 international epidemiological survey, he said adult e-cigarette use was significantly associated with asthma and destruction of lung immune defenses.

He noted that e-cigarette use is highest among 18–24-year-olds, and more than half of them had never smoked traditional cigarettes. “This suggests many are not using e-cigarettes to quit smoking but are instead initiating nicotine addiction through these products,” he concluded.

Dr Talha Shahzad, Assistant Professor of Pulmonology at AKU, drew attention to the environmental consequences of tobacco. “Tobacco production and consumption contribute to deforestation, water pollution, and climate change,” he said.

Dr Nousheen Akhter, a pulmonologist at PNS Shifa Karachi, reinforced the call for smoking cessation clinics, saying, “These clinics are crucial for supporting individuals trying to overcome tobacco addiction.”

Earlier in the seminar, participants were informed that World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31, aims to raise global awareness about the harms of tobacco use. The 2025 theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products”, calls for stronger policies to curb tobacco consumption and promote strategies to help people quit.

Photos courtesy: Event organisers