A newly released report, Tale of Two Nations: Pakistan vs. Sweden, warns that Pakistan risks missing a crucial opportunity to combat its smoking crisis, which claims 164,000 lives annually. The report, authored by global harm reduction expert Dr. Delon Human, contrasts Pakistan’s traditional tobacco control approach with Sweden’s harm reduction model, which has driven smoking rates below 5%.
Sweden’s success is attributed to integrating safer nicotine alternatives—such as snus, nicotine pouches, and vaping—into public health policies. In contrast, Pakistan’s restrictive stance on these alternatives has kept smoking prevalence among men at 22.2%, more than four times higher than Sweden’s 4.9%.
The report calls on Pakistani policymakers to adopt Sweden’s harm reduction strategies by:
- Establishing clear regulations for nicotine pouches and vaping products.
- Educating the public and healthcare professionals on the reduced risks of smoke-free alternatives.
- Implementing tax policies that incentivize safer nicotine products over cigarettes.
- Enforcing strict age restrictions to prevent youth uptake.
Dr. Human emphasizes that Pakistan can no longer ignore global evidence supporting tobacco harm reduction. Adopting Sweden’s approach could save thousands of lives and significantly reduce smoking-related diseases in the country.
THR Topics
Popular Posts
Quick Links
Related Posts
Time to support Filipino vape law, not relitigate it
Time to support Filipino vape law, not relitigate it
“Any concerns about youth vaping are well covered in last year’s landmark vape law. The Philippines has more than enough…
Greens’ Plan To Legalise Nicotine Vapes Lauded
Greens’ Plan To Legalise Nicotine Vapes Lauded
Cate Faehrmann, MP of the NSW Greens, Australia announced a plan to legalise nicotine vapes for people over the age…
Taiwan Vaping Ban Disappointing For Its Many Smokers
Taiwan Vaping Ban Disappointing For Its Many Smokers
“Raising the legal age for buying cigarettes to 20 is a good move, but effectively banning e-cigarettes is disappointing from…
Alcohol Harm Reduction
More about
Alcohol Harm Reduction
Drug Harm Reduction
More about
