June 2024 Newsletter

The June 2024 issue focuses on second-hand smoke exposure and smoking cessation. The lead story reports a study conducted by researchers from Aga Khan University, the University of York, and ARK Foundation Bangladesh. The study found that 99.4 percent of children in Karachi were exposed to second-hand smoke.

The newsletter explains that second-hand smoke can harm children even when they do not smoke themselves. It can increase the risk of respiratory infections and other health problems. The study calls for smoke-free homes, smoke-free cars, and stronger enforcement of smoking bans in public places, especially places where children often go.

The issue also covers the World Health Organization’s first tobacco cessation guideline for adults. The guideline recommends behavioural support, health worker counselling, digital support, and medicines such as varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and cytisine.

ARI welcomed the WHO guideline as a positive step, but said the focus should be broader. ARI said cessation should not be limited only to complete abstinence from tobacco and nicotine, and that innovation and real data are needed to improve quit rates, especially in countries like Pakistan.

Other stories explain the health benefits of quitting smoking, the need for better cessation services in Pakistan, Northern Ireland’s plan to join the UK smoking ban for future generations, and the role of counselling and medication in helping smokers quit.

• The main story says 99.4 percent of children in Karachi were exposed to second-hand smoke.
• Second-hand smoke can increase the risk of respiratory infections and other health problems in children.
• The study calls for smoke-free homes, cars, public places, parks, playgrounds, and transport.
• WHO released its first tobacco cessation guideline for adults.
• WHO recommends counselling, digital support, and effective medicines for quitting tobacco.
• ARI says WHO should broaden its approach and consider innovation in cessation support.
• Pakistan needs reliable quit-rate data and accessible cessation services.
• Quitting smoking brings health benefits and reduces the risk of many diseases.
• Counselling and medication together can improve the chances of quitting smoking.

The main story highlights a study which found very high exposure to second-hand smoke among children in Karachi. According to the study, 99.4 percent of children in Karachi were exposed to passive smoking. The story warns that second-hand smoke can increase the risk of respiratory infections, poor health, and other serious problems among children.