Pakistan’s Annual Smoking Death Toll Highest in South Asia: Report

Pakistan reports annual death rate from smoking of 91.1 per 100,000 people

Wed Jan 15 2025
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s annual death toll from smoking is the highest in South Asia, said Gallup Pakistan’s analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2024 report.

The Global Burden of Disease 2024 reports that Pakistan’s annual death rate from smoking stands at 91.1 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the South Asian average of 78.1 and the global average of 72.6.

“Between 1990 and 2021, Pakistan experienced a 35 per cent relative decrease in smoking-related death rates, which is lower than the reductions achieved by India (37pc), South Asia (38pc), and the global average (42pc),” Gallup said in a report.

According to the World Health Organisation, buying 100 packs of the most popular cigarette brands in Pakistan costs 3.7% of the country’s GDP per capita. This is significantly lower compared to 9.8% in India and 4.2% in Bangladesh.

“From 2012 to 2022, the share of GDP per capita required to purchase 100 packs in Pakistan has increased by 38pc, reflecting rising cigarette prices,” the report said.

According to a 2022 Gallup Pakistan opinion poll, an overwhelming 80% of smokers expressed a desire to quit.

In November, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department was urged by the Provincial Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco Control to promptly enact the long-awaited “KP Prohibition of Tobacco and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Bill.” The bill has been pending since its review by the Law Department in 2016.

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In June, a study revealed that 95% of children in Pakistan and Bangladesh are exposed to second-hand smoke, significantly increasing their risk of respiratory infections and, for infants with hereditary disorders, the risk of death.

Bilal Gilani, Executive Director of Gallup Pakistan, emphasised the importance of making health data accessible to policymakers and the public. “Pakistan has a wealth of health-related data, but it is often unavailable in usable formats. Our Big Data Analysis series aims to bridge this gap to inform actionable public health policies,” Gilani said.

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