Tobacco Industry 'Hooking A New Generation,' WHO Warns Ahead Of World No Tobacco Day

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day (observed on 31 May), the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for joint action against the devastating health and economic impacts of tobacco, which in Pakistan causes an estimated 164,000 deaths and economic losses of over PKR 1,800 billion (around US$6.6 billion) each year.

WHO warns that children and youth are particularly exposed to and targeted by the tobacco and nicotine industries, which design their products to get young people stuck in a cycle of addiction.

WHO estimates that the economic damage caused by tobacco in Pakistan is seven times higher than the tobacco industry's total tax contribution to the country – around PKR 265 billion in 2025.

Extensive scientific evidence confirms that all tobacco and nicotine products on the market without exception – including licit and illicit products, and items such as e-cigarettes or nicotine patches – are extremely harmful to health and pose a major risk to vulnerable populations such as children and teenagers.

Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don't quit and is one of the leading causes of preventable death due to cardiovascular disease, lung disease, stroke, and multiple cancers, among others.

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, WHO has launched an international campaign to urge concerted action under the theme“Unmasking the appeal – countering nicotine and tobacco addiction”.

The campaign will expose how the tobacco and nicotine industry continues to reinvent and repackage its products to hook a new generation, particularly children and adolescents, while evading stronger tobacco control measures worldwide.

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WHO stands with the Government of Pakistan as it strives to reduce tobacco consumption and save lives. Pakistan ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004, and WHO provides continuous technical support to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and the Federal Board of Revenue in areas such as tobacco tax policy and track-and-trace implementation.

WHO advocates for taxation to be used as a tool to reduce consumption while increasing revenues that can be directed towards health and development priorities.

Research has shown that tobacco taxation is effective in increasing revenues for the Government while also reducing consumption, tobacco-related diseases and pressure on health systems.

In Pakistan, FED rates on cigarettes have not increased since February 2023 – making them more affordable – and taxation levels remain below WHO's recommended 75% of the retail price. This presents an opportunity to strengthen control measures.

“Tobacco is a killer. Tobacco is killing our loved ones and our families, and it also has a devastating impact on public health and on our economies. Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don't quit. Make no mistake, all tobacco products on the market – licit and illicit, without exception – are extremely toxic and dangerous,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Dapeng Luo.

Startling new data reveal the scale of the global crisis: at least 40 million children aged 13 to 15 globally report current use of at least one tobacco product. Of these, 20 million smoke cigarettes and 10 million use smokeless (oral/nasal) tobacco. In addition, at least 15 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 years are already using e-cigarettes and, in countries with data, children are on average nine times more likely than adults to vape.

Globally, tobacco kills more than 7 million people each year, including an estimated 1.6 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.

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