How Global Tobacco Harm Reduction Trends Can Shape Pakistan’s Future

The world is experiencing a significant shift in how smoking and smoke-free alternatives are perceived. As more countries embrace Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) products, global smoking rates are declining. The latest Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) 2024 report highlights promising trends that could reshape Pakistan’s tobacco control strategies.

The GSTHR 2024 report, published by the UK-based public health agency Knowledge•Action•Change, provides compelling evidence that products such as vapes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and oral nicotine pouches are playing a key role in reducing smoking rates globally. The number of vapers has surged from 58 million in 2018 to 114 million in 2024, accompanied by an additional 30 million users of other smoke-free alternatives, bringing the global total to 144 million.

The report highlights that the shift to better alternatives could significantly alleviate healthcare costs associated with smoking-related diseases. For Pakistan, with over 31 million smokers, adopting THR products could provide a more sustainable solution than traditional tobacco control methods, which have had limited success.

Harry Shapiro, Executive Editor and Lead Author of the GSTHR 2024 report, emphasizes: “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.”

The report also stresses the importance of regulation to ensure the effectiveness of THR products. Countries like the UK, Japan, and Sweden have led the way, not only providing access to better alternatives but also implementing regulations that have contributed significantly to the declines in smoking prevalence . Therefore, Pakistan must adopt similar measures to fully unlock the potential of THR products, ensuring both accessibility and proper regulation to drive meaningful change.