Civil society organizations in Pakistan have urged federal and provincial governments to allocate dedicated resources for tobacco control funding in the upcoming fiscal budget 2026–27, warning that insufficient investment continues to hinder efforts to reduce tobacco-related diseases.
The appeal was made by the National Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control (NASTNC), which said stronger financial commitments are necessary to support prevention programs, law enforcement, and public awareness initiatives aimed at reducing tobacco consumption across the country.
Pakistan is a signatory to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), a global treaty that commits member states to implement policies and regulations designed to reduce tobacco use and protect public health. Civil society groups say that despite these commitments, tobacco control programs in Pakistan remain underfunded, particularly at the provincial level where most enforcement and outreach activities are carried out.
Tobacco-related health burden
Public health data cited by the alliance indicate that tobacco use continues to pose a major health challenge in Pakistan. Estimates from the World Health Organization and analyses based on the Global Burden of Disease Study suggest that approximately 164,000 people die each year in Pakistan due to tobacco-related illnesses.
This equates to nearly 450 deaths per day linked to smoking and other forms of tobacco use.
Health experts also note that a significant portion of tobacco-related harm affects non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. Global health studies estimate that about 31,000 deaths annually in Pakistan are associated with exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, with women and children particularly affected.
Call for budget allocations
Usman Afridi, coordinator of the National Alliance for Sustainable Tobacco and Nicotine Control, said Pakistan’s commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control should be reflected in national and provincial budget priorities.
He said tobacco control policies require consistent funding to support enforcement of regulations, awareness campaigns and smoking cessation services.
Representatives from different provinces also stressed the need for coordinated national action.
Ahsan Ali Khoso from Sindh highlighted the importance of expanding prevention programs and strengthening monitoring systems to protect young people from nicotine addiction.
Behram Lehri, representing Balochistan, said equitable funding across provinces would help authorities strengthen regulations, conduct public awareness campaigns and reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.
Funding seen as key policy signal
The alliance said budget allocations are one of the clearest indicators of government commitment to public health policy. It urged the federal Ministry of Finance, provincial finance departments and health authorities to prioritize tobacco and nicotine control programs in the FY 2026–27 budget.
According to the group, sustained financial support is necessary to expand enforcement efforts, research, cessation services and nationwide awareness campaigns aimed at reducing tobacco use in Pakistan.
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