As the world observes World No Tobacco Day, alarming statistics have emerged highlighting the persistent threat of tobacco use in Pakistan. According to newly released data, over 23 million people in Pakistan are active consumers of tobacco products, underscoring a major health crisis.
Recent studies show that nearly one in every five adults in Pakistan smokes tobacco, placing an enormous burden on the national healthcare system. The use of various tobacco products—including cigarettes, gutka, paan, and naswar—is linked to more than 160,000 deaths each year. These fatalities are primarily due to tobacco-related illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory conditions.
Health experts are particularly worried about rising tobacco use among the youth. A national survey revealed that nearly 10% of school-going children between the ages of 13 and 15 in Pakistan are using tobacco products. This troubling trend indicates a potential surge in long-term addiction if preventive measures are not strengthened.
“The tobacco industry is actively targeting young audiences in Pakistan through social media and influencer-driven marketing,” said Dr. Sana Rauf, a public health advocate based in Islamabad. “Despite existing regulations, products remain widely accessible—especially single-stick cigarette sales, which make it easier for young people to start smoking.”
Anti-tobacco campaigners in Pakistan point to three major challenges: easy access to cigarettes, aggressive marketing strategies, and poor enforcement of current laws. Although Pakistan is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), experts emphasize that much more must be done to implement its provisions effectively.
Public health officials and advocacy groups are urging the government to take stronger action, such as banning single-stick sales, regulating online advertisements, and allocating more resources to enforce existing tobacco control laws.
Without immediate and comprehensive efforts, tobacco use will continue to claim lives and overburden Pakistan’s already strained healthcare system.