October 2022 Newsletter

This newsletter explains the idea of tobacco harm reduction and how it can help end combustible smoking. It says that the world is now discussing the possibility of ending cigarette smoking in the coming years, and some countries have already set deadlines for becoming smoke-free.

The main article explains that people smoke mainly because of nicotine, but the biggest harm comes from burning tobacco. Cigarette smoke contains tar, gases, and thousands of harmful chemicals. Nicotine can create dependence, but it is not the main cause of serious smoking-related diseases. This is why safer nicotine products are being discussed as possible alternatives for adult smokers who cannot quit.

The newsletter also explains that harm reduction is not a new idea. It has been used in other public-health areas to reduce harm when complete stopping is difficult. In tobacco, harm reduction means helping smokers move away from burning cigarettes toward less harmful nicotine options such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, snus, smokeless products, and heated tobacco products.

The issue also includes updates from Pakistan and abroad. One article reports that Pakistan collected Rs160 billion in taxes from tobacco manufacturers, mostly from two large companies, while tax evasion and illicit trade remain concerns. Another article discusses whether e-cigarettes can help adult smokers quit. The newsletter also shares the story of Muhammad Ismail, who said vaping helped him give up smoking, and includes an article calling for Pakistan to rethink its tobacco-control approach by adopting harm reduction, improving quitting support, and learning from countries such as the UK and New Zealand.

• The newsletter explains tobacco harm reduction and ending combustible smoking.
• The main danger from cigarettes comes from burning tobacco.
• Cigarette smoke contains tar, toxic gases, and thousands of harmful chemicals.
• Nicotine is addictive, but it is not the main cause of serious smoking-related diseases.
• Safer nicotine products may help adult smokers move away from cigarettes.
• These products include e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, snus, smokeless products, and heated tobacco products.
• Pakistan faces a heavy disease burden because of combustible smoking.
• Pakistan has around 29 million tobacco users.
• The economic cost of smoking in Pakistan was reported as Rs615.07 billion in 2019.
• Pakistan’s main tobacco law does not properly address smoking cessation.
• The newsletter says Pakistan should research and review how harm reduction can become part of tobacco-control efforts.
• Pakistan collected Rs160 billion in taxes from tobacco manufacturers last year.
• Tax evasion and illicit tobacco trade remain concerns in Pakistan.
• E-cigarettes may help some adult smokers quit or reduce cigarette use.
• Pakistan needs to rethink its tobacco-control approach with better quitting support and less harmful alternatives.