Pakistan’s smoking death toll highest in region: Gallup

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reports an annual smoking-related death rate of 91.1 per 100,000 people, one of the highest in South Asia, according to Gallup Pakistan’s analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2024 dataset. The rate surpasses the regional average of 78.1 and the global average of 72.6 per 100,000 people, underscoring a critical public health challenge.

Despite a 35pc decline in smoking-related death rates between 1990 and 2021, Pakistan’s reduction lags behind India (37pc), South Asia as a whole (38pc), and the global average (42pc). The persistent disparity highlights structural barriers and systemic issues that have hindered significant progress.

Bilal I. Gilani, Executive Director of Gallup Pakistan, emphasised the importance of making health data accessible for policymakers and the public. “Pakistan has a wealth of health-related data, but it is often unavailable in usable formats. Our Big Data Analysis series aims to bridge this gap to inform actionable public health policies,” Gilani said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the cost of purchasing 100 packs of the most-sold cigarette brand in Pakistan requires 3.7pc of the GDP per capita — significantly lower than India (9.8pc) and Bangladesh (4.2pc).

However, cigarette prices in Pakistan rose by 38pc between 2012 and 2022, reflecting rising costs that have not yet reached levels high enough to discourage smoking on a large scale. Gilani noted that affordability plays a critical role in influencing smoking behaviour.

“Economic measures like taxation and pricing need to be complemented by strong awareness campaigns, cessation programs, and public education to make an impactful reduction in smoking rates,” he said.

A Gallup Pakistan opinion poll conducted in 2022 revealed that 80pc of smokers expressed a desire to quit, indicating widespread awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco. However, the barriers to quitting remain significant. These include limited access to cessation resources, societal pressures, and a lack of effective public health interventions.

The data underscores the urgent need for a multifaceted approach to tobacco control in Pakistan. Stronger legislation, higher taxation, and public smoking bans must be paired with long-term interventions to address cultural acceptance and promote cessation support systems. Without these complementary efforts, Pakistan risks continued high smoking-related mortality and health burdens.

Commenting on the Gallup report, renowned public health expert and Vice Chancellor of Health Services Academy Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan said in addition to deaths directly caused by tobacco, countless individuals become incapacitated due to multiple morbidities linked to its use.

“For every tobacco-related death, there are likely 50 people suffering from life-altering disabilities, placing a significant burden on their families and caregivers. This also adds to the cost of treatment and results in a loss of productivity due to their inability to work”, Prof. Khan said.

He maintained that another critical concern is that tobacco often serves as the gateway to addiction in the country, adding most individuals who become addicted to various substances typically start with cigarettes.