Peshawar
Tobacco use continues to claim thousands of lives in Pakistan every year, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remains one of the provinces most deeply affected by this silent epidemic.
While Pakistan has established national-level tobacco control laws — such as the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance 2002, restrictions on tobacco advertising, and the introduction of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs — the enforcement of these measures has been uneven across the provinces. In KP, weak regulatory mechanisms, limited oversight, and the absence of provincial-level policy frameworks have left major gaps that the tobacco industry continues to exploit.
Pakistan is a signatory to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which obligates it to adopt effective demand and supply reduction measures, including taxation, smoke-free environments, bans on advertising and promotion, and strong enforcement systems.
Yet, despite this commitment, KP has not developed its own comprehensive provincial tobacco control legislation or policy framework to reflect these obligations. Unlike other sectors where provincial autonomy after the 18th Amendment has allowed tailored strategies, tobacco control in KP has remained largely dependent on federal ordinances without sufficient adaptation to the province’s unique context.One glaring gap is the absence of any approved PC-1 or dedicated resource allocation by the KP Government for tobacco control initiatives.
Without financial backing, even the best policies remain on paper. Enforcement teams, awareness campaigns, and compliance monitoring all require sustainable funding streams, but tobacco control has often been treated as a low-priority issue in provincial planning. As a result, inspection drives are rare, penalties are poorly implemented, and violations are rampant.Weak regulatory mechanisms further compound the problem.
Advertising bans, for example, are routinely bypassed through indirect promotions, including the placement of tobacco products in shops frequented by children and the use of social media marketing targeted at youth. Similarly, although pictorial health warnings have been mandated at the federal level, smaller manufacturers in KP continue to evade compliance by producing illicit or non-standard packaging.
The lack of a strong provincial oversight body means these violations often go unchecked.Industry interference is another pressing concern. The tobacco sector in KP, which includes major cultivation and production hubs, exerts strong influence on provincial policy discussions.
This has often delayed the adoption of stronger regulations and created loopholes that favor the industry over public health. Civil society groups have repeatedly highlighted how industry-backed narratives — such as arguments against higher taxation or in favor of “harm reduction” products like vapes — have slowed progress.
To address these gaps, KP urgently needs a comprehensive provincial tobacco control law and policy framework that is aligned with the FCTC and responsive to the province’s specific challenges. Such a framework must include clear enforcement mechanisms, strict monitoring of advertising bans, and penalties for violations.
It should also require the provincial government to prepare and approve a PC-1 for tobacco control, ensuring dedicated funding for implementation. Furthermore, independent oversight bodies should be established to minimize industry interference and guarantee transparency in decision-making.The time to act is now. Without stronger provincial legislation and resource-backed frameworks, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa risks losing the ground gained in national tobacco control efforts.
A firm, well-funded, and independent provincial approach would not only save lives but also set an example for other provinces. Tobacco use is not just a health issue — it is a governance issue — and KP has the opportunity to show leadership by closing the loopholes that continue to endanger its people.
