Need for coordinated efforts to save Pakistani Youth from Tobacco hazards: SPARC

Islamabad: In a significant step towards combating the growing tobacco epidemic among Pakistan’s youth, the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) convened a two-day dialogue titled “Discussion on Sustainable Tobacco Control Measures: Protecting Youth from Emerging Health Risks.” Participants emphasized the need for strengthening policy frameworks, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, implementing higher tobacco taxes, regulating emerging tobacco products, and developing innovative public advocacy initiatives to protect the health of future generations.Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to Chief Minister KPK on Information & PRs emphasized on the grave implications of tobacco use on public health and its pervasive impact on society. “The health of our future generations is at risk, and it is a challenge we cannot afford to ignore,” he remarked. “The consequences of inaction are severe, not only in terms of health but also regarding the economic burden and social costs that come with it. Collective action is imperative to safeguard our youth and protect the nation’s future.”Dr. Khalil Ahmad, Program Manager at SPARC, highlighted SPARC’s ongoing initiatives and stressed the urgency for immediate and sustainable interventions. “Tobacco use among our youth is a growing epidemic that poses severe health, social, and economic challenges. We must implement robust measures to curb this trend before it spirals out of control,” he asserted.Prof. Dr. Matiur Rehman, Dean of Allied Healthcare Sciences at the Health Services Academy (HSA), provided a comprehensive analysis of the tobacco epidemic. He stated that over 1.3 billion people worldwide use tobacco, leading to approximately 8 million deaths annually. In Pakistan, the economic burden of smoking on individuals aged 35 and above is estimated at PKR 615.07 billion. Dr. Rehman called for stringent regulations on emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, highlighting their appeal to youth and the evolving regulatory challenges they pose.Dr. Faouzia Hanif, Deputy Director at the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, revealed alarming statistics about tobacco’s health toll in Pakistan, with over 160,000 deaths each year attributed to tobacco-related diseases and nearly 1,200 children aged 10–14 years beginning to smoke daily. She underscored the need to strengthen existing laws and adopt new protective measures to reverse this troubling trend.Dr. Muhammad Asif, Chief Health at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, addressed the broader impact of tobacco on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory conditions. He emphasized the importance of an integrated approach combining health warnings, public education, and youth engagement.Mr. Rao M. Rizwan from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination highlighted the environmental consequences of tobacco farming, including deforestation and soil degradation. He urged for sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate these adverse effects.Other key representatives from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and PEMRA also attended the event and gave their remarks on important tobacco related issues including taxation, and role of media in shaping public opinions. The event concluded with actionable resolutions, including raising tobacco taxes, regulating new tobacco products, and enhancing public advocacy. The dialogue brought together key stakeholders from public health, regulatory authorities, taxation, environmental sectors, and media to explore comprehensive strategies addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by tobacco use among youth. Attendees reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative action. Participants included representatives from government ministries, regulatory bodies, civil society organizations, media, and international health organizations, reflecting a united front for sustainable tobacco control.