Health Activists Express Concerns Over Attempts To Derail Tobacco Control
The activists say the tobacco industry’s misleading campaigns aim to distract the public, especially youth, policymakers, media, and the government of Pakistan from its ulterior motive: profit at the expense of public health.
Public health activists in Pakistan have voiced apprehensions regarding the ongoing efforts of the tobacco industry to obstruct tobacco control measures in the country. This enduring strategy employed by the tobacco industry to impede tobacco control efforts, particularly during pre-budget periods, has once again drawn criticism from public health advocates.
Activists assert that the tobacco industry’s deceptive campaigns are designed to divert attention from its underlying agenda: prioritizing profit over public health. These misleading tactics target various stakeholders, including youth, policymakers, media, and the government of Pakistan, aiming to obscure the detrimental health impacts of tobacco consumption.
Health activists have expressed deep concerns regarding the widespread dissemination of false information by the tobacco industry, which only serves to obscure the harm inflicted upon the people of Pakistan. The tobacco industry has spared no effort in expanding its business, thereby jeopardizing the future of Pakistani youth and children by enticing them with its harmful products.
These efforts include endeavors to obstruct or dilute tobacco control measures, such as cigarette taxes, smoke-free laws, restrictions on sales to minors, and limitations on promotions and advertisements. The tobacco industry’s attempts to divert attention from public health initiatives encompass the use of celebrities and social media to lure youth with deceptive claims, the propagation of false statistics and myths to minimize the harm caused by their products, and most recently, the vilification of government departments and officials who advocate for tobacco control.
These efforts are primarily motivated by the economic interests of the tobacco industry, which seeks to sustain and expand tobacco sales, despite the well-documented health risks associated with tobacco use. Nevertheless, public health advocates, researchers, and policymakers remain steadfast in their efforts to counter these endeavors and implement evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing tobacco use and its detrimental impact on public health.
Tobacco control remains a pressing issue in Pakistan, with smoking-related illnesses placing a substantial burden on healthcare systems and contributing to avoidable deaths. Despite Pakistan being a signatory to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the number of smokers in the country has surged to approximately 31 million. The affordability and widespread availability of tobacco products mean that roughly 1200 children initiate smoking every day, leading to nearly 170,000 deaths annually due to tobacco-related diseases.
In light of these concerning trends, activists are urging the government to maintain vigilance and determination in combating the tobacco epidemic. They emphasize the importance of implementing evidence-based policies aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of all citizens. By prioritizing measures to reduce tobacco use and its harmful effects, the government can play a crucial role in safeguarding public health and preventing unnecessary suffering and loss of life caused by tobacco-related diseases.
