KARACHI: The Pakistan Chest Society (PCS) and the Tobacco Free Cities Coalition (TFCC) have warned that tobacco use is causing a major public health crisis in Pakistan, claiming approximately 164,000 lives annually—more than the combined deaths from tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS and road traffic accidents.
Speaking at a joint awareness initiative ahead of World No Tobacco Day, President of Pakistan Chest Society Sindh, Prof. Javaid Khan, described the annual death toll as a national emergency. He said tobacco remains the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes and several complications associated with tuberculosis in Pakistan.
Health experts highlighted smokeless tobacco as a growing but often overlooked threat. They noted that products such as Gudka, Naswar, Mainpuri and Mawa are widely consumed across the country and are responsible for a significant number of oral cancer cases. Prof. Romaina Iqbal of Aga Khan University said the widespread use of these products in both urban and rural communities poses a serious health challenge.
According to data shared by PCS and TFCC, nearly half of Pakistan’s adult population uses some form of tobacco or nicotine product, including cigarettes, vaping devices, heated tobacco products and smokeless tobacco. Experts also expressed concern over increasing nicotine use among young people, citing a recent Karachi-based study in which 68 percent of students reported using vaping products.
The organizations observed that while Pakistan’s Tobacco Control Law 2002 prohibits smoking in public places, bans tobacco sales to minors, restricts sales near educational institutions and prohibits point-of-sale advertising, implementation remains weak.
Dr. Maira Mubashir of the Tobacco Free Cities Coalition said tobacco advertisements continue to be visible at retail outlets while vaping products remain largely unregulated. She stressed that effective enforcement of existing laws is essential to prevent further loss of life.
The Pakistan Chest Society and Tobacco Free Cities Coalition called on authorities to strictly enforce existing tobacco control laws, introduce regulations for emerging nicotine products such as vaping devices, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products, incorporate healthy lifestyle and anti-addiction education into school, college and university curricula, and impose penalties on celebrities promoting nicotine products through electronic and social media platforms.
The organizations reiterated their commitment to raising awareness about the health risks of tobacco and nicotine use and urged policymakers to take immediate action to protect public health.
