ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP):A comparative study titled “Tale of Two Nations: Pakistan v Sweden” has highlighted a significant decline in smoking rates in Sweden over the past decade, while Pakistan has recorded a marginal increase, underscoring the need for evidence-based approaches to tobacco control. The study was presented at a seminar organised for office-bearers and members of the Pakistan Association of Family Physicians (PAFP), said a press release. It was …
Pakistan observes marginal increase in smoking rates in 2015 to 2023, says PAFP
ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP):A comparative study titled “Tale of Two Nations: Pakistan v Sweden” has highlighted a significant decline in smoking rates in Sweden over the past decade, while Pakistan has recorded a marginal increase, underscoring the need for evidence-based approaches to tobacco control.
The study was presented at a seminar organised for office-bearers and members of the Pakistan Association of Family Physicians (PAFP), said a press release.
It was led by Dr Delon Human, a global health advocate and former Secretary-General of the World Medical Association, and presented to PAFP members by Dr Rizwan Junaid.
More than 50 doctors representing various medical specialties attended the session, which included discussions on the challenges of tobacco control in Pakistan and the potential role of harm-reduction strategies in reducing smoking-related health risks.
According to the study, Sweden’s adult smoking rate declined from 11 per cent in 2013 to 5.3 per cent in 2024.
In contrast, Pakistan’s smoking rate increased marginally from 12.1 per cent in 2015 to 12.4 per cent in 2023.
The report attributed part of Sweden’s decline to the availability and uptake of alternative nicotine products, including sinus, nicotine pouches and vape products. It also highlighted the continuing public health burden caused by tobacco use in Pakistan, where nearly one in four adult men is reported to smoke and an estimated 164,000 people die annually from tobacco-related diseases.
Speaking at the seminar, PAFP representatives said that complete smoking cessation remained the preferred outcome, but additional evidence-based approaches should also be considered for adult smokers who are unable to quit despite repeated attempts through conventional cessation methods.
“Many smokers struggle to quit despite repeated attempts using conventional methods. For these individuals, we have a professional responsibility to continue exploring evidence-based interventions that may reduce harm while keeping cessation as the ultimate goal,” the representatives said.
They added that carefully regulated tobacco harm-reduction strategies could be considered for adult smokers who were unable or unwilling to quit through established cessation methods alone.
Participants reviewed international evidence and discussed a broad range of tobacco-control interventions, emphasis the need for continued scientific dialogue and greater awareness among healthcare professionals about emerging nicotine products.
The participants also called for further examination of harm-reduction strategies as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing smoking prevalence among adult smokers.
Following the presentation, PAFP members acknowledged the concept of tobacco harm reduction and supported what they described as sensible regulations that could provide adult smokers with access to lower-risk alternatives while maintaining strong safeguards.
They stressed that any such policy should be based on scientific evidence, include strict product-quality and safety standards, and ensure that nicotine products remain inaccessible to minors.
The association also expressed its willingness to contribute clinical expertise to the development of evidence-based policy frameworks.
“The Academy stands ready to contribute its clinical expertise in developing balanced, evidence-based policies that priorities, prevention, protect young people from nicotine initiation, strengthen cessation services, and ensure appropriate regulation of emerging nicotine products,” the PAFP representatives said.
