Tobacco harm reduction strategies urged

More than 1.2 million lives can be saved in Pakistan, adopting safer alternatives

ISLAMABAD:

Experts have urged the government to consider adopting tobacco harm reduction strategies as part of tobacco control in public health regulatory frameworks.

By adopting tobacco harm reduction strategies, more than 1.2 million precious lives can be saved in Pakistan.

According to a recently published international research report titled “Integrating harm reduction into tobacco control”, authored by various doctors and researchers from different countries including Dr S Abbas Raza, Consultant Endocrinologist at Shaukat Khanum Hospital and Research, integration of harm reduction measures as the main pillar of the comprehensive tobacco control framework, particularly in Pakistan is the need of the time.

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According to the research report, tobacco harm-reduction products are used by 112 million people globally, mostly living in high-income countries. In countries like Sweden, the UK, Japan, Lithuania, and the US, tobacco harm reduction products use has a positive impact on the declining use of combustibles.

The study’s key findings indicate that significant lives can be saved in these countries through the widespread adoption of tobacco harm reduction initiatives and related measures.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2023.