Economic burden of tobacco use in Pakistan

Abstract

BackgroundThe lack of reliable tobacco healthcare and economic cost estimates leaves the tobacco industry undertaxed and thriving in Pakistan and makes the country as one of the top tobacco-consuming nations. To facilitate effective tobacco tax policymaking, this study estimates the economic cost of smoking-attributable diseases and deaths in Pakistan.MethodsA nationally representative sample survey of 13 000 households was administered to gather the data required to estimate different cost components of smoking-attributable diseases through the prevalence-based approach.FindingsThe total smoking-attributable economic cost of all diseases and deaths in Pakistan in the year 2018–2019 for persons aged 35 years or older is 615.07 billion ($3.85 billion). Similarly, three major diseases, namely cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease, along with associated deaths, cost the nation PKR437.8 billion ($2.7 billion) of which 77% is the indirect cost. The three major diseases make 71% of the total estimated cost, nearly two-thirds of which is borne by rural residents, nine-tenth by males and more than four-fifths by the citizens in the 35–64 years age group.ConclusionThe total annual economic costs of all smoking-attributable diseases and deaths and those of the three major diseases equal 1.6% and 1.15% of Pakistan’s gross domestic product, respectively. The tax contribution of tobacco sector is merely 20% of the total estimated cost. The finding of huge economic and health costs of smoking makes a convincing case for policymakers to realise the true value of the industry’s contribution and raise tobacco taxes to the level of full cost recovery.

Assessing tobacco-related ischemic stroke in Pakistan (1990–2019): Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study

“…It was discerned that approximately two-thirds of the aggregate economic burden engendered by smoking-related diseases and mortality in individuals aged ≥35 years is predominantly borne by the rural populace. Moreover, this analysis indicates that nearly 90% of this economic impact is sustained by men 25 . These observations highlight the pronounced and differential effects of smoking across various demographic segments within the nation.…”

From capacity building to collaboration in tobacco economics research

“…In addition to assessing consumer responses to price increases broadly, the studies examined differences among population groups (Huque et al , 12 Merkaj et al , 13 Shimul et al 14 ) and regional trends in the affordability of cigarettes (Zubović et al 15 ). Several papers estimated the impact of tobacco on household spending and poverty (Macías Sánchez et al , 16 Mugosa et al , 17 Swarnata et al , 18 Vladisavljevic et al 19 ) as well as the overall burden on health care systems and economies (Gligorić et al , 20 Memon et al 21 ). Other research analyzed the macroeconomic impacts of tobacco taxes (Bella et al , 22 Cicowiez et al 23 ) and the illicit tobacco market (Divino et al , 24 Szklo et al 25 ).…”

“…editorial al 19 ) as well as the overall burden on health care systems and economies (Gligorić et al, 20 Memon et al 21 ). Other research analyzed the macroeconomic impacts of tobacco taxes (Bella et al, 22 Cicowiez et al 23 ) and the illicit tobacco market (Divino et al, 24 Szklo et al 25 ).…”

The association between smoking and smokeless tobacco use with dental caries among Pakistani patients

“…The economic cost of smoking is reported to be up to 5.7% of global health expenditure, of which 40% is attributed to developing countries [ 3 ]. In Pakistan, tobacco consumption results in substantial economic burdens on healthcare, with the combined costs of three major smoking-related diseases (cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease) totalling PKR 437.76 billion, representing 71% of the overall economy and health costs associated with tobacco [ 4 ]. The age-standardised prevalence of tobacco use in Pakistan was 13.4%, and males were 7 times more likely to use tobacco than females [ 5 ].…”