The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2024 provides positive and encouraging findings vis-a-vis tobacco use in Pakistan. Overall, Pakistan has successfully reduced tobacco consumption by 15.7 per cent between 2014 and 2024. This can be termed a great achievement. However, smoking cessation still remains a weak area. According to the survey, in the last 12 months, only 24.1 per cent of tobacco smokers made a quit attempt.
The availability of smoking cessation services is scant and the adult smokers who want to quit this habit are essentially on their own, with little or no help available. Smoking cessation service should be available locally.
Junaid Ali Khan
Islamabad
