‘Tobacco Use in Pakistan Has Soared Death Tolls in Millions’
Despite running campaigns to promote a smoke-free society, over 400 people invite death due to tobacco use in Pakistan every day
Globally, World No-Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 and this year the death toll has seen an increase increased in Pakistan as nearly 8 million people have lost their lives due to tobacco consumption.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan highlighted some shocking revelations regarding tobacco consumption during an event.
Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a World No-Tobacco Day event at the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
Besides Dr Faisal, PRCS Chairman Dr Abrar-ul-Haq, Smoke-Free Cities Project Director Dr. Minhaj-us-Siraj, and others were invited as guests.
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Addressing the event, Dr Faisal highlighted that globally more than 7 million deaths are reported in Pakistan because of the direct consumption of tobacco.
Moreover, nearly 1.2 million non-smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke in the country.
The death toll reported by the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 shows that more than 160,000 people die in Pakistan every year owing to tobacco consumption.
Dr Faisal Sultan shared some glimpses from the event on his Twitter handle.
PRC, Tobacco Smoke Free Cities Project of M/O NHSRC, Govt of #Pakistan & WHO signed “Letter of Intent” to regulate and discourage #tobacco use among masses especially the youth.@PRC_official, @nhsrcofficial #CommitToQuit pic.twitter.com/ZBrdY0GgxY
— WHO Pakistan (@WHOPakistan) May 31, 2021
The UK-based Lancet Journal statistics showed that the number of tobacco users stands at 1.1 billion globally whereas there are over 29 million smokers in Pakistan.
Despite running campaigns to promote a smoke-free society, WHO Country Office Head Dr Palitha Mahipala mentioned that over 400 people in Pakistan invite daily death due to tobacco use.
In regards to reducing tobacco use, Dr Ziauddin Islam, former head of the Tobacco Control Cell, suggested that the government should increase tax on all tobacco products in the upcoming budget.
