ISLAMABAD: An expert on Wednesday said that adopting globally accepted ‘tobacco harm reduction’ (THR) strategies could save more than 1.2 million lives in Pakistan.
Prominent researcher and policy advisor Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Junaid, while addressing the ‘Break Thru Science’ round table discussion organized by ‘Irada’, said that THR products significantly decrease toxic exposures by 80% and lower tobacco-related premature death causes by 70%.
Referring to a research study titled ‘Integrating Harm Reduction Into Tobacco Control Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan,’ Dr. Rizwan highlighted the potential benefits of THR. The study revealed that adopting THR strategies could significantly reduce premature deaths in countries like Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan.
Tobacco Harm Reduction Prevents Premature Deaths
According to the study, Kazakhstan might prevent 165,000 premature deaths in the next four decades, while South Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan could save 320,000, 920,000, and 1,200,000 lives, respectively. Dr. Rizwan urged the Pakistani government to recognize the transformative potential of THR products, already utilized by 112 million people globally, in addressing the national crisis.
Dr. Rizwan noted the progress in biotechnology, pharmaceutical innovation, and diagnostics over the last two decades, leading to the development of THR products meeting the criteria of the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for the protection of public health.
During the discussion, health experts highlighted the success of tobacco harm reduction strategies in European countries, contributing to a significant decrease in smoking figures. The European Union (EU) aims to be smoke-free by 2040, with a major focus on THR to reduce smoking-related mortality and morbidity.
Experts at the round table urged the Pakistani government to consider integrating tobacco harm reduction into public health regulatory frameworks. They emphasized the need for regulations on nicotine products to be proportionate to the health risks they pose, facilitating healthier choices and maximizing benefits.
The ‘Irada’ initiative seeks to acknowledge the vital role of tobacco harm reduction in minimizing the health impact of smoking in Pakistan.
