ISLAMABAD: A new survey released by the Endit Foundation has found that a majority of smokers who use vaping products reported reducing their cigarette consumption, while researchers also highlighted concerns about the lack of regulation and youth access to vaping products in Pakistan.
The report, titled Vaping Voices: Exploring Tobacco Harm Reduction in Lahore, was launched at the National Press Club in Islamabad on Friday. According to the Islamabad-based public health organization, the study is the first large-scale survey focused on vaping behavior in Pakistan.
The survey was conducted in September 2025 and included 1,710 current or recent vape users recruited from 100 vape shops across 10 major commercial markets in Lahore. Participants were asked about their smoking history, attempts to quit, health experiences, perceptions of risk, and factors influencing their use of vaping products.
The findings come as Pakistan continues to face a significant tobacco-related health burden. The Endit Foundation cited estimates indicating that more than 163,500 people die each year from tobacco-related illnesses in the country. The organization also referenced economic losses linked to tobacco use, which it said were estimated at Rs615 billion in 2019 and could approach Rs926 billion by the end of 2025.
Findings on smoking reduction
Among 1,058 respondents who reported a history of cigarette smoking, 60% said vaping had helped them reduce cigarette consumption. Of those, 53% reported a significant reduction, while 7% reported a moderate decrease.
The survey found that 13% of respondents with a smoking history had stopped smoking cigarettes entirely during the 12 months preceding the survey. Researchers said 140 participants reported completely switching away from cigarettes, with 94% of those transitions occurring within the first six months of adopting vaping products.
In addition, 65% of respondents said they had either attempted to quit smoking through vaping or were actively planning to do so.
Public awareness and regulation
The report also examined public perceptions of vaping. According to the findings, 26% of respondents agreed that vaping is safe when asked directly. However, agreement increased to 39% when participants were asked whether switching from smoking to vaping could reduce smoking-related health risks.
Endit Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ziauddin Islam said the results suggest a need for greater public awareness and evidence-based information about vaping and tobacco harm reduction.
Researchers also raised concerns about the enforcement of age restrictions on vaping products. The report noted that respondents reported little or no encounters with enforcement measures intended to prevent underage access.
Recommendations
Based on the survey findings, the Endit Foundation called on the federal government, the Ministry of National Health Services, and other relevant authorities to develop a regulatory framework for vaping products, strengthen age-verification measures, improve public information campaigns, and support evidence-based tobacco control policies.
The Endit Foundation describes itself as a public health organization focused on tobacco harm reduction through research, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement aimed at informing public policy in Pakistan.
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