ISLAMABAD: Around 23.9 million Pakistanis are currently using tobacco – out of which 6% are women.
According to a report, 15.6 million Pakistanis smoke tobacco and males between the ages of 15-49 were more likely to use tobacco as compared to women. “Tobacco kills 6 million people around the world out of which 80% deaths occur in middle and low income countries,” it said.
The report showed that plain packaging eliminated the use of colourful logos and branding – a key strategy – to make products more appealing to customers including the youth.
Having a picture of tobacco victims on the packaging was the most effective mean of tobacco control advertisement in Pakistan. It said that 45% men used tobacco in any form while 28% men of the same age used cigarettes.
Some 110,000 people died yearly due to tobacco use. Some 1,200 children started smoking daily. Around eight out of every 10 noticed the health warnings on cigarette packs while around seven thought of quitting.
The report urged for immediately implementation of Article 13 – that bans tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship – and Article 11 of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which calls for plain packaging.