ISLAMABAD: Public health experts and medical professionals are urging the Pakistani government to adopt new strategies aimed at reducing the health hazards associated with smoking. At the third roundtable on Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), hosted by the Initiative on Risk-reduction & Dependable Alternatives (IRADA), participants discussed innovative ways to minimize smoking-related harm by introducing safer alternatives.
Researcher Dr. Rizwan Junaid highlighted the advantages of modern nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, which are far less hazardous than conventional cigarettes. “These products can aid those struggling to quit smoking by providing a safer option,” Dr. Junaid noted, underscoring the potential of such alternatives to significantly improve public health.
The discussion also explored success stories from countries like Sweden and New Zealand, where THR policies have led to substantial reductions in smoking rates. A report from a Pakistani endocrinologist suggests that blending THR strategies with traditional tobacco control measures could save an estimated 1.2 million lives by 2060.
To achieve this, experts recommended implementing legislation that discourages traditional cigarette use and encourages the adoption of safer nicotine substitutes. Enacting these policies could pave the way for a healthier, smoke-free Pakistan, reducing smoking-related deaths and easing the burden on the healthcare system.
