Karachi: A recent analysis reveals a significant decline in smoking rates among men in Pakistan over the past decade, while the rates for women have increased. Between 2014 and 2024, male smoking rates decreased from 22.2% to 15.8%, marking a 29% relative decline. In contrast, female smoking rates rose from 2.1% to 3.3%, a 57% relative increase.

According to the Gilani Research Foundation, while female smoking remains significantly lower than male smoking in absolute terms, the upward trend among women stands out against the overall national decline in smoking rates. This shift highlights a critical demographic trend that is not apparent when considering national averages alone.

To better understand these patterns, Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics has launched an online tool called Pakistan Tobacco Insights. This dashboard aggregates a decade’s worth of data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) and the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). It provides detailed insights into smoking rates by gender and age, exposure to secondhand smoke, cigarette pricing trends, and public attitudes towards tobacco policies.

The introduction of this dashboard aims to offer policymakers, researchers, and the public a comprehensive view of tobacco use in Pakistan, enabling more targeted and effective tobacco control strategies.