As smoking rates remain alarmingly high in Pakistan, a new global report highlights a promising shift that could offer a more effective path forward. The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) 2024 report presents key insights that could redefine approaches to tobacco control worldwide. Published by the UK-based public health agency Knowledge•Action•Change, the report highlights how smoke-free alternatives – such as vapes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and oral nicotine pouches are significantly reducing smoking rates globally.
The numbers tell a compelling story: the global vaping population has surged from 58 million in 2018 to 114 million in 2024, with an additional 30 million users of other smoke-free alternatives, bringing the total to 144 million. This shift suggests a growing global movement toward harm reduction, offering valuable lessons for countries like Pakistan, where over 31 million people still smoke.
The report highlights that adopting Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) strategies has the potential to reduce the healthcare burden linked to smoking-related illnesses. With traditional tobacco control measures struggling to achieve meaningful results in Pakistan, integrating harm reduction into national strategies could provide a more sustainable and impactful solution.
Harry Shapiro, Executive Editor and Lead Author of GSTHR 2024, stresses the urgency of adopting THR, stating: “If fully realized, tobacco harm reduction has the potential to rapidly reduce the global number of smokers. This would deliver one of the greatest public health gains of the 21st century.”
Alongside advocating for tobacco harm reduction, the report underscores the importance of regulations to ensure better alternatives are both accessible and effective. Countries such as the UK, Sweden, and Japan have successfully implemented policies that have facilitated access to THR options and contributed to noticeable declines in smoking rates.
For Pakistan, the path forward lies in creating a regulatory framework that encourages access to THR products while maintaining necessary oversight. A well-structured approach could accelerate the transition away from smoking, bringing long-term benefits for both public health and economic stability.
