ISLAMABAD: A new comparative review has highlighted a major difference in smoking trends between Pakistan and Sweden.
The review was presented at a seminar of the Pakistan Association of Family Physicians (PAFP).
It found that smoking rates have fallen sharply in Sweden. Pakistan, however, has seen a slight rise in adult smoking over the past decade.
Smoking rate falls in Sweden
The review, titled “A Tale of Two Nations: Pakistan vs Sweden,” examined smoking trends in both countries.
In Sweden, the adult smoking rate fell from 11 percent in 2013 to 5.3 percent in 2024.
Pakistan showed a different trend. The adult smoking rate rose from 12.1 percent in 2015 to 12.4 percent in 2023, according to the review.
Study highlights tobacco use in Pakistan
The study was prepared under the leadership of Dr. Delon Human.
Dr. Human is a former Secretary-General of the World Medical Association. He also served as a senior official associated with the World Health Organization.
Dr. Rizwan Junaid presented the findings to members of the Pakistan Association of Family Physicians.
More than 50 doctors from different medical fields attended the seminar.
The review said Sweden’s smoking rate has declined alongside the wider use of alternative nicotine products.
These products include snus, nicotine pouches and vaping products.
Pakistan faces a major tobacco challenge
The review said Pakistan still faces serious health challenges from tobacco use.
According to the study, about one in four adult men in Pakistan smokes.
It also estimated that around 164,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases.
Doctors at the seminar stressed that quitting smoking remains the best option for protecting health.
They also discussed other approaches for adult smokers who cannot quit despite repeated attempts.
Doctors call for evidence-based policies
The seminar covered several key issues.
These included smoking-related health risks, tobacco harm reduction, nicotine products and smoking cessation.
Doctors also discussed tobacco-control policies and experiences from other countries.
Participants called for a science-based and evidence-based strategy to reduce smoking in Pakistan.
They said Pakistan needs stronger measures to prevent tobacco use and help smokers quit.
Focus on regulation and youth protection
Members of the Pakistan Association of Family Physicians supported balanced rules for lower-risk alternatives aimed at adult smokers.
However, they stressed the need for strict safeguards.
These should include strong product-quality standards and safety measures.
They also called for effective controls to prevent minors from accessing nicotine products.
The association said doctors can help develop better tobacco-control policies.
It also called for stronger smoking-cessation services and effective regulation of emerging nicotine products.
Pakistan and Sweden show different trends
The comparison highlights two very different smoking trends.
Sweden has recorded a major decline in adult smoking over the past decade.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has seen a slight increase in its adult smoking rate.
Doctors at the seminar said Pakistan needs stronger prevention, cessation and tobacco-control measures to reduce the health burden linked to smoking
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