Over the past one and a half years, Pakistan’s efforts to control tobacco use have encountered significant setbacks. Despite early advances in tobacco regulation, recent developments indicate a reversal of policy initiatives aimed at reducing tobacco consumption. With no new policy measures introduced since June 2023, and several key protective policies being eroded or undermined, the situation now poses a serious public health risk. It is concerning to observe this troubling trend, including the stagnant size of health warnings, an imminent danger of reduction in tobacco taxes, and the subtle yet dangerous influence of the tobacco industry on policy-making on new tobacco products.

One of the most alarming aspects of the current scenario is the absence of new tobacco control policies. Since June 2023, there has been little to no development in regulatory measures. The last substantial modification occurred in 2020 when an increase was made to the size of the Pictorial Health Warnings (PHWs) on tobacco products. Since then, there have been no further updates or improvements in warning labels, nor has there been any significant discussion on addressing the online sale and promotion of tobacco products—an area that has remained largely unregulated since consultations in September 2023.

This lack of progress is particularly concerning given that tobacco control is a dynamic field, where policies must adapt to new industry tactics and emerging products. Without continual improvement and updating of regulations, there is an increasing risk that Pakistan will fall further behind global standards,........

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