May 2023 Newsletter

This newsletter begins with a call for collective efforts to end combustible smoking in Pakistan. On World No Tobacco Day 2023, ARI Project Director Arshad Ali Syed said the government should bring all stakeholders together to plan for a smoke-free Pakistan. He noted that Pakistan still has more than 29 million adult tobacco users, and that implementation of tobacco laws remains weak.

The newsletter explains that safer nicotine alternatives are helping some developed countries set timelines for ending combustible smoking. Sweden is presented as an important example because its smoking rate has dropped close to smoke-free status. The newsletter says Pakistan should consult all stakeholders, including adult smokers, review safer alternatives, and regulate them sensibly instead of rejecting them outright.

The issue also discusses GATS-II in Pakistan. The article explains that the first Global Adult Tobacco Survey showed Pakistan had about 23.9 million adult tobacco users in 2014, while current estimates are much higher. It says the new survey should not only measure smoking and smokeless tobacco use, but should also examine the use of tobacco harm reduction products, why people use them, and whether they help smokers quit, switch, or become dual users.

The newsletter also includes an article explaining quitting smoking and tobacco harm reduction in simple terms. It says the best option is to stop using tobacco, but harm reduction can help smokers who cannot quit immediately. Other articles discuss support for tobacco farmers in Malawi to move toward sustainable livelihoods, and Sweden’s model of combining tobacco-control measures with less harmful alternatives such as snus, nicotine pouches, and vapes.

• The newsletter calls for collective efforts to end combustible smoking in Pakistan.
• World No Tobacco Day 2023 focused on the theme “We need food, not tobacco”.
• ARI said the government should involve all stakeholders in planning for a smoke-free Pakistan.
• Pakistan has more than 29 million adult tobacco users.
• On average, a smoker in Pakistan consumes 13 cigarettes a day.
• At least 30% of smokers reported buying loose cigarettes, even though their sale is prohibited.
• Sweden is presented as an example of a country close to smoke-free status.
• Sweden’s strategy includes helping smokers switch to less harmful alternatives such as snus, nicotine pouches, and vapes.
• Pakistan should review safer nicotine alternatives and regulate them sensibly.
• Adult smokers should be treated as important stakeholders in tobacco-control discussions.
• GATS-II should measure the full picture of tobacco use in Pakistan.
• The new survey should also examine the use and purpose of tobacco harm reduction products.
• Harm reduction can help smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit immediately.
• Malawi farmers are being supported to shift from tobacco farming to sustainable livelihoods.
• Sweden’s model shows that combining tobacco control with harm minimization can reduce smoking.