Pakistan has recorded a notable decline in smoking among men over the past decade, while smoking among women has increased, according to data from Gallup Pakistan.
The figures covering 2014 to 2024 show that the male smoking rate dropped from 22.2% to 15.8%, representing a 29% relative decline.
The decrease suggests that tobacco control policies and awareness measures may have contributed to changing smoking behaviour among men across the country.
However, the data also highlights a contrasting trend among women. The female smoking rate increased from 2.1% in 2014 to 3.3% in 2024, marking a 57% relative increase.
Female Smoking Shows Opposite Trend
Although the overall smoking rate among women remains significantly lower than among men, the increase has raised concerns about changing tobacco-use patterns.
Women were the only demographic group in the reported figures to show an increase over the decade, while male smoking moved in the opposite direction.
The figures highlight the importance of examining tobacco consumption across different demographic groups rather than relying only on national averages.
Pakistan Tobacco Insights Dashboard
Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics has also launched the Pakistan Tobacco Insights dashboard to provide a more detailed view of tobacco-use trends.
The platform combines a decade of information from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) and Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).
Users can examine smoking rates according to gender and age, while the dashboard also provides information about exposure to secondhand smoke in different settings.
The platform further tracks cigarette pricing trends and public attitudes toward tobacco-related policies.
Tobacco Trends Continue to Change
The latest figures present a mixed picture for tobacco control in Pakistan.
The substantial decline in male smoking indicates progress over the past decade, while the increase among women points to an area requiring greater attention.
The data also demonstrates why tobacco-control strategies may need to consider differences in smoking behaviour across genders and age groups.
With the new dashboard bringing multiple indicators together, researchers and policymakers can gain a clearer understanding of how tobacco consumption is changing across Pakistan.
Also read:Punjab Bans Smoking in All Public Parks
