The FCTC defines “tobacco control” as a range of supply, demand and harm reduction strategies that aim to improve the health of a population by eliminating or reducing their consumption of tobacco products and exposure to tobacco smoke. If the Ministry of Health Pakistan is truly intent on reducing the burden on public health due to cigarette smoking, they have to encourage the use of vaping and heated tobacco products that are scientifically substantiated to produce fewer carcinogens as compared to lighting a cigarette on fire, the same way progressive governments such as the UK and New Zealand are doing.

Here are a few examples:

1. The UK government actively advocates for the adoption and use of smoking alternatives as a means to meet their FCTC targets and lower the number of smokers in the Country, with support from prestigious institutions such as Public Health England, Royal College of Physicians, Action on Smoking and Health and the National Health Service. For more info, click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/e-cigarettes-and-vaping-policy-regulation-and-guidance.
2. The New Zealand government reversed their ban on vaping to meet its target of smoke free New Zealand by 2025 supporting smokers to switch to significantly safer alternatives. For more info click here: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/tobacco-control/vaping-smokefree-environments-and-regulated-products.