Internal industry documents suggest McConnell worked hard on behalf of the tobacco industry, while also receiving gifts from tobacco lobbyists and major campaign contributions.
Tobacco use remains a major public health issue in Pakistan, with over 25.4 million users and high rates of smoking-related illnesses. Despite existing tobacco control measures, smoking prevalence remains persistently high. To tackle this challenge, Pakistan can draw inspiration from Sweden’s successful tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies, which have significantly lowered smoking rates and improved public health outcomes.
Sweden is a global leader in THR, achieving impressive results by incorporating safer nicotine alternatives like snus, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes into its broader tobacco control framework. As a result, only 5.6% of Swedish adults smoke, and the country boasts a 41% lower cancer rate compared to the European average.
This success is attributed to the legalization and promotion of harm-reduction products, public advocacy campaigns highlighting their benefits, and government policies that ensured accessibility and affordability. Federico N. Fernández, CEO of We Are Innovation, notes that while many European nations followed WHO’s smoking reduction guidelines, Sweden combined traditional tobacco control measures with innovative harm-reduction strategies.
Since the mid-2000s, Sweden’s smoking rate has plummeted from over 15% to just 5.6% in 2023, the lowest in the EU. Alongside measures like advertising bans, public smoking restrictions, and higher taxes on traditional cigarettes, Sweden’s most significant achievement has been integrating alternative nicotine products into its tobacco harm reduction efforts.
In contrast, Pakistan relies heavily on conventional measures such as taxes, advertising restrictions, and public smoking bans, which have had limited success in reducing smoking rates. To achieve meaningful progress, Pakistan must embrace a more comprehensive THR approach, inspired by Sweden.
The Pakistani government should promote safer alternatives, reduce taxes on harm-reduction products, and raise public awareness to dispel misconceptions. By making these alternatives more accessible and affordable, Pakistan can encourage their use and create a healthier society.
Adopting Sweden’s model of legalizing and supporting safer nicotine options, alongside public education and favorable policies, could lead to a significant decline in smoking rates and improved public health in Pakistan.
