Pakistan reported an annual smoking-related death rate of 91.1 per 100,000 people, which is one of the highest in South Asia, as per the Gallup Pakistan’s analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2024 dataset.
The rate surpasses the regional average of 78.1 and the global average of 72.6 per 100,000 people, underscoring a critical public health challenge.
Despite a 35% decline in smoking-related death rates between 1990 and 2021, Pakistan’s reduction lags behind India (37%), South Asia as a whole (38%), and the global average (42%).
The persistent disparity highlights structural barriers and systemic issues that have hindered significant progress.
Bilal I Gilani, Executive Director of Gallup Pakistan, emphasised the importance of making health data accessible for policymakers and the public.
“Pakistan has a wealth of health-related data, but it is often unavailable in usable formats. Our Big Data Analysis series aims to bridge this gap to inform actionable public health policies,” Gilani said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the cost of purchasing 100 packs of the most-sold cigarette brand in Pakistan requires 3.7% of the GDP per capita — significantly lower than India (9.8%) and Bangladesh (4.2%).
However, cigarette prices in Pakistan rose by 38% between 2012 and 2022, reflecting rising costs that have not yet reached levels high enough to discourage smoking on a large scale. Gilani noted that affordability plays a critical role in influencing smoking behaviour.
“Economic measures like taxation and pricing need to be complemented by strong awareness campaigns, cessation programmes, and public education to make an impactful reduction in smoking rates,” he said.