Partner: International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Timeline: 01 March 2023 to 31 May 2024
INTRODUCTION
In Pakistan, the number of tobacco users is more than 24 million. Novel nicotine and tobacco products (pouches and vaping devices) have made rapid ingress in society. In the absence of a distinct policy, these products are spreading across the length and breadth of the country. In most cases, cheap prices of nicotine pouches and their presence in almost every convenience store, grocery stores, fuel stations, etc. are contributing towards accessibility. Additionally, mushrooming of dedicated high-end vape stores is targeting the affluent youth and is being sold for profit. There is thus a need for immediate policy formulation and implementation to curtail novel nicotine, and tobacco products and devices.
This project focuses on three important aspects. First, it aims to facilitate policy development in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and tobacco control partners. This is the continuation of an ongoing effort by the partners and tobacco control advocates.
Secondly, there is a long overdue and unaddressed GHW policy and rotation issue. The GHW size was increased to 60% during June 2019 to measure the impact. However, the impact was not measured, the pictures were not changed, the size was not increased/proposed to be increased, the textual warning was not changed/updated, and no rotation was affected. All these interrelated yet significant issues have remained unaddressed for the past almost three years. This project intends to focus on GHW, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues in the light of policy recommendations furnished by SDPI and other partners.
Thirdly, there is no long-term tobacco taxation policy, leaving the decision to the whims of the sitting government of the time. No tax was increased over the past almost three years on any tobacco products, except very little increase on obscure issues such as the e-liquids, etc. In the Federal Budget 2022-23, minor tax increases were observed. However, after excessive criticism, more taxes were imposed (the government aspires to collect Rs 36 billion by the end of the current fiscal year). Besides other mercurial issues surrounding tobacco taxation in Pakistan, the absence of a long-term tobacco taxation policy also adds to the challenges. This project also proposes to initiate work on tobacco taxation. Finally, this project develops a TI monitoring plan and maps the environmental impact of tobacco and its products.
Very few policies have been implemented as a result of the act of parliament. Most of the other tobacco control policies are enacted and implemented through Statutory Regulatory Ordinances (SROs). Devolution of the health to the provinces has further complicated the issues. There is also a lack of coordination and collaboration between the ministries.
SROs on GHW currently lack post-increase impact assessment, (textual and PHW) rotation, and (gradual) increase in the size of GHW or advancing towards plain packaging. Similarly, no policy exists for controlling or banning novel nicotine and tobacco products. Tobacco taxation has remained mostly an unchanged domain for the past many years. Finally, the environmental detriments of tobacco are being studied, but not in relation to tobacco. This intervention focuses on these areas and proposes to contribute towards policy development by making evidence-based recommendations. Furthermore, this project continues its engagement in these areas by building capacity of the policymakers, partners, and legislators. This intervention will mainly focus on the national level engagements with the ministries concerned, government entities, and stakeholders, including the partners.
SDPI has a proven track record of supporting national policies. Its long-standing professional relationship with the legislators/policymakers has always been an asset for policy development. We anticipate that before the next elections, we should be able to develop a coalition of like-minded legislators and policymakers. However, despite volatility in the political situation that continues to impact the development of any long-term policies, SDPI will continue its efforts for tangible results. We also hope to synergize inter-ministerial collaboration and play a vital part as a conduit between the MoH, MoF, and working with the Ministry of Climate Change creating new opportunities for understanding the impact of tobacco on the climate and environmental pollution.
OBJECTIVES
Following are the objectives of the project.
Objective 1: Assisting the Ministries of NHSR&C and Finance inter-ministerial efforts for the development of tobacco taxation and pricing policy,
Objective 2: Providing technical support for policy positions on HTPs, E-cigs, smoking chemicals liquid, nicotine pouches & SLT,
Objective 3: Generating evidence to counter Pakistan's tobacco industry and its allies’ manipulations of tobacco control,
Objective 4: Support MoH in existing TCLs on GHW/PHW on tobacco/nicotine products, including its rotation.
ACTIVITIES
A delegation of SDPI led by Executive Director called on the Honorable President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, to discuss measures for reducing tobacco consumption in Pakistan. The delegation suggested reconsidering the contents of the Statutory Regulatory Ordinance (SRO) for heated tobacco products at par with the other tobacco products issued by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.
In this regard, the delegation also sought a meeting between the Ministry’s technical advisory group and experts from CSOs, think tanks, academia, media, and independent medical researchers.
Evidence-based policy recommendations concerning GHW/PHW, novel nicotine and tobacco products/devices, and tobacco taxation will be developed and shared with the Ministries of Health, and Finance. These policy recommendations will be developed by SDPI after holding consultation, and
dialogue with the partners and stakeholders. Over a period of one year and three months, we plan to facilitate the process and furnish these recommendations to the ministries concerned. During the same timeframe, SDPI will also advocate for the adoption of these policies and build the capacity of legislators and policymakers. A comprehensive TI monitoring plan will be prepared and implemented for a long-term sustainable monitoring.
Project Team:
Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri
Dr Vaqar Ahmed
Dr Waseem Iftikhar Janjua
Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi
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