Saira Launches Global Adult Tobacco Survey

Source from:  Business Recorder 05/29/2015

Minister for National Health Services Regulation and Coordination, Saira Afzal Tarar Thursday launched Global Adult Tobacco Survey fact sheet and executive summary (GATS), first of its kind in the country.

Addressing a press conference, the minister said that with this, Pakistan joined the club of 27 countries in the world who have conducted this survey.
According to a survey, currently 23.9 million adults (19%) use tobacco and out of these 15.6 million (12%) smoke tobacco and 9.6 million (8%) use smokeless tobacco products, she said.

She said the statistics point out that 29% smokers in the country start smoking before the age of 17 years and three out of 10 persons who currently smoke, thought about quitting because of a pictorial health-warning label.

Knowing the significance and effectiveness of Pictorial Health Warning, the government recently had enhanced the size of new Pictorial Health Warning on Cigarette Packs from 40 to 85%, for deterring youth for taking up smoking.

She also disclosed that seven in 10 adults (16.8 million) who worked indoors were exposed to tobacco smoke at the workplace and nine in 10 adults (21.2 million adults) who visited restaurants were exposed to tobacco smoke.

Speaking about monetary burden of smoking, she said that average amount spent by smokers on 20 manufactured cigarettes was Rs.40.9, while same amount of rupees can buy approximately 1 kilogram (2.2. pounds) of potatoes or five eggs or one big bread.

Highlighting its importance, she said that GATS allows for cross-country comparisons and is a global standard to systematically monitor adult tobacco use and track key tobacco control measures.

She praised the efforts of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for financial support to carry out this task.

She said that this survey was conducted by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), in coordination with Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) and World Health Organization (WHO).

She acknowledged the support of the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean of the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO Country Office in Pakistan, CDC, the CDC Foundation, and RTI International.

The minister said, tobacco use kills nearly six million people every year, including the 600,000 who were killed by the effects of exposure to second-hand smoke.

Tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Negative health impacts are associated with the use of all types of tobacco, including cigarettes, water pipes and smokeless tobacco.

She said that non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke also experience the adverse health effects of tobacco use.

Referring the theme of World No Tobacco Day 2015, she said that illicit products are untaxed and unregulated, with no health warnings, packaging or labeling requirements, which makes them cheaper, more readily available and accessible, especially to young and poor people.

She said that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has contacted the ministry for support in their awareness campaign, "Say no to corruption" and they have submitted proposal that this logo shall be printed on cigarette pack.

The minister appreciated the proposal from Ms. Aliya Rashid Director General Awareness and Prevention Division NAB, and assured that the proposal will be given serious consideration in future plans.

She reiterated the federal government's stance for prevention and promotion of public health, and announced that the government is going to constitute and notify, National Coordination Committee.

This committee will comprise of all stakeholders, provincial governments to monitor and implement enforcement of tobacco control laws in letter and spirit and to control the menace of illicit trade of tobacco products in the country.

WHO Representative in Pakistan, Michel Thieren said that with the successful implementation and launch of the GATS, Pakistan will be ranked among the highest achieving countries in "M" policy of WHO MPOWER.

He said that as many as 23.8 million adults currently used tobacco in Pakistan. Of them, 15.6 million currently smoke tobacco and 9.6 million used smokeless tobacco products.

He said that around 58.5 billion sticks are consumed in Pakistan every year and the smokers burn around 119 billion Pakistan rupees per year. This is a huge money that can be spent on improving the quality of life of the people.

Alarmingly, a large number of non-smokers are exposed to the second hand smoke which is equally dangerous. It is a pity that a large number of people are exposed to second hand smoke in public places, at their homes, public transport, restaurants and even in hospitals.

"We already have data on youth (13-15 years of age) generated through the recently completed Global Youth Tobacco Survey." It is indeed another great achievement after the new pictorial health warning covering 85% of the cigarette pack, he said.

He expressed the hope that the new pictorial health warning will appear as planned.

This award recognizes her achievement in the fight against the global epidemic of tobacco and in the promotion of tobacco control initiatives and policies, he said.

He congratulated the minister for taking personal interest to combat this serious public health issue braving the mounting pressure and negative tactics from the tobacco industry. Enditem