Strengthening Tobacco Control-A Public Health Imperative for Pakistan

World No Tobacco Day 2026 Every year on 31 May, the world observes World No Tobacco Day to highlight the devastating consequences of tobacco use and to strengthen global efforts to reduce tobacco related disease and death. This year’s theme, “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” shines a spotlight on the tactics employed by the tobacco industry to attract new users, particularly children and youth, through flavored products, deceptive marketing, attractive packaging, and the promotion of emerging nicotine products. The urgency of this year’s message cannot be overstated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills more than 8 million people annually, including approximately 1.3 million non-smokers who die from exposure to second hand smoke. This translates into nearly 22,000 preventable deaths every day. Tobacco remains one of the leading causes of cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory illnesses, and other non-communicable diseases that place immense pressure on health systems and economies worldwide. Pakistan is not immune to this crisis. Tobacco use claims more than 192,000 Pakistani lives every year over 526 deaths every day. Beyond these tragic figures lies an equally alarming reality: nearly 1,200 children between the ages of 6 and 15 start smoking every day as a replacement smoker. For many of these children, early nicotine exposure leads to lifelong addiction, poor health outcomes, reduced educational attainment, and diminished economic opportunities. Meanwhile, millions of children continue to suffer from second-hand smoke exposure, increasing their risk of asthma, pneumonia, ear infections, low birth weight, and sudden infant death. The burden of tobacco extends far beyond public health. Pakistan incurs an estimated economic cost of nearly Rs. 1,835 billion (1.6 % of GDP) annually due to tobacco related illnesses, healthcare expenditures, lost productivity, and premature mortality. These costs f