Tobacco harm reduction strategies advocated

Islamabad: Experts at a round table conference called for the effective implementation of tobacco harm reduction strategies in the country to address the health impacts of tobacco use. 

They insisted that those strategies could potentially save the lives of over 1.2 million people in the country.The event, hosted by the Initiative on Risk Reduction and Dependable Alternatives, brought together tobacco control specialists, public health officials, representatives of NGOs, and other stakeholders.

Researcher and policy adviser, Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Junaid, highlighted the urgent need for THR and said THR products like modern oral nicotine pouches offered significantly reduced risks compared to traditional cigarettes.

He said global public health had set the goal to have a ‘smoke free’ future by 2040, where five percent or less of the adult population smoke in any given country.“Most countries fall woefully short of this target. Since the enforcement of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control treaty 18 years ago, tobacco demand has declined, but far too slowly and, in some low- and middle-income countries, not at all,” he said.

During the discussion, the IRADA’s representatives shed light on how countries like New Zealand and Sweden have demonstrated the effectiveness of THR in significantly reducing smoking rates.

According to them, nicotine pouches are popular, and, together with snus, they have led to a marked reduction in the number of smokers.They said Sweden had the lowest proportion of smokers in the European Union and was set to become the first country in the world to be smoke free (less than five percent smokers). The EU average is around 18 per cent. The conference aimed to explore how these successful approaches could be adapted to Pakistan’s unique context.

The experts said THR strategies offered a viable alternative for smokers seeking to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals. By providing a less harmful option, THR can help prevent millions of deaths from tobacco-related diseases. While not a substitute for comprehensive tobacco control, THR can be a valuable tool in reducing smoking rates. Implementing THR strategies aligns with the broader goal of improving public health and reducing the burden of tobacco-related diseases, according to them.

“By learning from the successes of other nations, we can tailor harm reduction strategies that are both effective and culturally relevant for Pakistan,” said Dr. Junaid.“This conference is a crucial step in fostering a collaborative approach to tobacco control in Pakistan through evidence-based harm reduction.”