A latest report by the World Health Organization has revealed that smoking causes losses of more than $6.6 billion to Pakistan’s economy every year, while nearly 164,000 people die annually from tobacco-related diseases.
According to reports, the total economic loss in the country has been estimated at around Rs1,800 billion annually. In comparison, the government earns nearly Rs265 billion in taxes from the tobacco industry, which is far lower than the overall losses.
The WHO said that the trend of tobacco use is rapidly increasing among children and young people worldwide. Around 40 million children aged 13 to 15 begin using tobacco products, including cigarettes, naswar, and vapes.
According to the report, nearly 50% of tobacco users face dangerous health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, lung diseases, and stroke.
The WHO recommended increasing taxes on cigarettes and launching effective public awareness campaigns to discourage smoking.
The report also reminded that World No Tobacco Day will be observed in Pakistan on May 31 this year.
It is pertinent to note that tobacco use not only causes health issues but also places a heavy burden on families and the healthcare system. In Pakistan, millions of households face financial burden due to medical expenses linked to tobacco addiction issues. Beyond the direct health costs, tobacco addiction reduces productivity, deepens poverty, and perpetuates cycles of inequality.
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