Deadly tobacco

Fallacious arguments are presented to persuade users and consumers that tobacco products are not dangerously fatal

Tobacco companies have spent hundreds and thousands of dollars in trying to hide the fact that consumption or smoking of tobacco can lead to harmful diseases and eventually death. Fallacious arguments are presented to persuade users and consumers that their products are not dangerously fatal.

To counter this narrative, countless studies have explicitly shown and proven the direct link between tobacco consumption and death. In the case of Pakistan, a recent study shows that 466 people die daily due to tobacco-induced diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and chronic lung diseases. Tobacco consumption is now ubiquitous among the masses as the number of smokers has reached 31 million. More alarming is the fact that 1,200 Pakistani children between the ages of six and fifteen are chain smokers. To make matters worse, tobacco companies have launched new products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to lure more users, especially the youth. Anti-smoking campaigns have proved futile due to much resistance for wealthy businessmen and government officials. The fact remains that the economic cost of smoking is equivalent to Rs615 billion — almost 1.6% of Pakistan’s GDP. With the tobacco industry having such a high contribution in the economy, would the government be willing to put a ban on nicotine and tobacco products? Experts have claimed that raising cigarette taxes may deter smokers and discourage tobacco use.

Pakistan did raise tax prices last year but it was hardly enough. Apart from anti-smoking campaigns, the government should look to promulgate the Tobacco Health Levy Bill which has been pending since 2019. A legal framework would help put things into perspective, which successive governments can slowly build on to discourage users. A blanket ban on tobacco products will be least effective.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2023.

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