Bangladesh recently decided to ban the import of vapes, aiming to curb usage and enhance public well-being. However, this policy is based on the flawed assumption that vaping and smoking pose equal risks. While both involve nicotine, smoking involves combustion – the primary driver of smoking-related illnesses – whereas vapes eliminate this process, making them a significantly less harmful alternative.
India took a similar path in 2019. Instead, the ban fueled an unregulated black market where illicit vape products continue to circulate unchecked. This not only increases risks for consumers, who may be exposed to unverified products, but also results in lost tax revenue for the government.
Pakistan can avoid making the same mistake by adopting a balanced strategy focused on Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR). Smoke-free alternatives such as vapes, oral nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) provide adult smokers with less harmful options while minimizing the dangers associated with smoking.
Evidence from Public Health England suggests that vapes are 95% less harmful than smoking and have significantly contributed to reducing smoking rates in the UK. This emphasizes the importance of harm reduction strategies, which are most effective when paired with proper regulation and public awareness, rather than prohibition.
A 2023 study titled “Integrating Harm Reduction Into Tobacco Control” estimated that impactful THR measures could save 1,200,000 and 920,000 lives in Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively.
The reality is that many adult smokers who have no intention of quitting will continue to seek nicotine. Prohibitive policies do not eliminate demand; they merely drive it underground, exposing users to unregulated and potentially more harmful products.
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Pakistan has the opportunity to learn from the setbacks of its neighboring countries. Instead of restrictive bans, the government should implement a robust regulatory framework that ensures quality control and responsible marketing. By embracing tobacco harm reduction, Pakistan can make meaningful strides in addressing smoking-related harm while maintaining oversight of the market.