ISLAMABAD: Health activists have urged the government to ban innovative products such as nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco devices to save Pakistan and its youth.
According to a press release issued by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), health activists have called for identifying health and economic hazard of these products.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) country head Malik Imran Ahmed said that smoking costs Pakistan Rs615.07 billion annually, equal to 1.6% of the country’s GDP.
“Still, the revenue generated from the tobacco industry is only 20% of the total cost. Innovative products contain nicotine which is a proven addictive substance. Nicotine also leads to more dangerous forms of substance abuse and can cause severe health and mental health issues among youth. These products are claimed as cessation products but are new forms of addiction. The tobacco industry funds the research, claiming they’re less harmful than cigarettes. Independent research has warned about their hazard,” he said
Ahmed said, “Pakistan is facing perhaps the worst financial crisis since its existence. Legalizing novel tobacco products won’t bring any substantial revenue. It will cause more damage to our already depleted healthcare infrastructure. The government must recognize this immediately before it is too late.”
Smoking among Pakistani youth
SPARC Programme Manager Khalil Ahmed Dogar said that nearly 1,200 children begin smoking daily in Pakistan due to cheap and easy affordability. “The tobacco industry has already misled the government by claiming that e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches are less harmful and only for smokers who want to quit. However, these products are openly promoted online and sold to young and new consumers. We can’t afford any more children to get addicted to these new products,” he said.
Khalil said the government should take cognisant of the situation and declare a child rights emergency as it directly hurts their health, education, and future development.
“Policymakers are responsible for ensuring that no anti-child policy is implemented in the country. Banning novel tobacco products is in our national interest, and the government shouldn’t be afraid to take this much-needed step.”
