PESHAWAR: A round table conference hosted by the Initiative on Risk-reduction & Dependable Alternatives (IRADA) in Peshawar brought together over 25 participants, including tobacco control experts, public health officials, NGOs, and local stakeholders.
United in their mission to mitigate the health impacts of tobacco use in Pakistan, attendees called for the adoption of effective tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies, which could potentially save over 1.2 million lives in the country.
Renowned researcher and policy advisor Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Junaid emphasized the urgent need for THR during the “Break Thru Science” discussion organized by IRADA. He highlighted the promise of THR products like modern oral nicotine pouches, which pose significantly lower risks than traditional cigarettes.
Global public health aims for a “smoke-free” future by 2040, targeting 5% or fewer adult smokers in any given country. However, many countries fall short of this goal. Since the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) was established 18 years ago, tobacco demand has decreased, but progress has been slow, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The conference discussed successful THR implementations in countries like New Zealand and Sweden, where nicotine pouches and snus have led to significant reductions in smoking rates. Sweden currently has the lowest smoking rate in the European Union and is on track to become the first country in the world with fewer than 5% smokers, compared to the EU average of around 18%. The goal was to explore how these successful strategies could be adapted to Pakistan’s context.
THR offers a viable alternative for smokers looking to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals. While not a replacement for comprehensive tobacco control, THR can serve as a valuable tool in lowering smoking rates and preventing millions of tobacco-related deaths. Implementing THR strategies aligns with broader public health goals and the reduction of tobacco-related disease burdens.
“By learning from the successes of other nations, we can develop harm reduction strategies that are both effective and culturally relevant for Pakistan,” said Mr. Junaid. “This conference is a critical step in fostering a collaborative approach to tobacco control through evidence-based harm reduction.”
Health experts at the round table urged the government to consider integrating THR strategies into public health regulatory frameworks. They emphasized that regulations on new nicotine products should correspond to their health risks and aim to maximize benefits while minimizing harm.
