ISLAMABAD: A research study titled ‘Integrating Harm Reduction into Tobacco Control’ reveals a significant opportunity: the adoption of tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies could potentially save over 1.2 million lives in Pakistan.
This study was launched at an event hosted by tobaccoharmreduction.net in London and included an online session in Pakistan. It presents compelling evidence for integrating harm reduction measures as a fundamental component of comprehensive tobacco control.
Dr. Derek Yach, the report’s principal author, emphasized, “Conventional tobacco control measures have reached a plateau, even though smoking remains the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide. Governments possess the necessary tools for transformation; they simply need to recognize that tobacco harm reduction products—already used by 150 million people globally—play a vital role in addressing this crisis.”
WHO Predicts Tobacco-Related Deaths to Reach 10 Million in 5 Years
Presently, smoking claims over 8.5 million lives annually, a toll that the World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts will rise to 10 million within five years. However, the integration of harm reduction offers a different path, demonstrating that a significant number of lives can be saved in Pakistan by embracing THR.
Dr. Delon Human, a key contributor to the report, explained, “Tobacco control alone is insufficient in combating the deeply rooted cigarette epidemic. It must be complemented by a comprehensive range of harm reduction measures, including the accessibility, acceptability, and affordability of less harmful alternatives like vaping and nicotine pouches, along with proactive measures for early cancer diagnosis and treatment.”
The United Kingdom serves as a compelling example of what THR can achieve. E-cigarettes are actively recommended as a tool for adults who wish to quit smoking, resulting in a nearly 50% reduction in smoking rates within a decade, decreasing from 20% to 12%.
Dr. Human emphasized, “Our message and recommendation are not to abandon tobacco control but to enhance it with validated harm reduction strategies. Policymakers worldwide have both the moral responsibility and the practical means to take action. Embracing harm reduction strategies can radically transform the narrative, shifting from grim statistics to real stories of saved lives.”
