IT is difficult to imagine that only a few decades ago, smoking was considered glamorous and ‘macho’, with slick advertisements designed to promote tobacco products. Today, such ads urging people to light up have largely been banished from most media across the globe as the realisation about the deadly effects of tobacco has sunk in. Hence, as we observe World No Tobacco Day today, it is a good opportunity to take stock of the situation locally. Medical experts and activists have used the term ‘tobacco epidemic’ to describe the situation in Pakistan, with an estimated 100,000 people dying annually due to tobacco use in the country. Not only is smoking rife in Pakistan, the use of concoctions that fall under the label of ‘smokeless tobacco’ — such as naswar and gutka — is also common. As data reveals, the vast majority of global tobacco-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income states, to which group this country belongs. Considering our creaking health infrastructure, the state should not ignore this epidemic. While steps have been taken to clamp down on smoking in public places more needs to be done where enforcement is concerned.

Activists have suggested using plain packaging for cigarette boxes to make them less colourful and attractive; they say in countries where this has been tried, smoking rates have come down. Apart from the ailments and health risks linked to tobacco use — hypertension, stroke, lung disease etc — it is also a drain on resources, with experts saying Pakistanis spend billions of rupees on cigarettes yearly. Also, second-hand smoke amounts to punishing non-smokers. Campaigners have called for raising the tax on cigarettes to discourage smoking, along with stricter enforcement of anti-smoking laws. Moreover, it is essential to crack down on vendors who sell tobacco products to minors, while the easy availability of gutka and related concoctions must also be addressed. Today is a good day for the state to renew its pledge for a smoke-free, healthier Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2016