Exposing Tobacco Industry Manipulations: Experts Call for Stronger Public Health Policies

Islamabad: Experts at a stakeholder seminar on Sunday highlighted that the tobacco industry, disguised as corporate giants, is employing manipulative tactics to influence public opinion and hinder progress in public health.

The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) hosted a high-level seminar, “Unveiling the Smoke Screen: Tobacco Industry Interference and Monitoring in Pakistan,” bringing together local and global experts to examine how the tobacco industry propagates misleading narratives about emerging tobacco products.

Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi, Senior Research Associate at SDPI, in his opening remarks, emphasized that the tobacco industry has long been a formidable barrier to global public health progress. “In Pakistan, the fight against tobacco’s harmful influence has grown more complex, with corporate giants employing tactics to manipulate public opinion, influence policies, and obscure their detrimental impact,” he added.

A presentation by Dr. Waseem Iftikhar Janjua, Consultant at the Health Centre, SDPI, shed light on these underhanded efforts and stressed the need for enhanced vigilance and transparency in monitoring tobacco industry activities. He highlighted the findings of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance’s Tobacco Industry Interference Index (TII), which reveals attempts to influence national policy through standardization bodies.

Dr. Janjua also pointed out Pakistan’s lenient regulations allowing travelers to import tobacco and electronic products from duty-free shops, raising concerns about regulatory gaps. He announced the launch of the Tobacco Harm Reduction Project to investigate the industry’s role in perpetuating tobacco-related harm in the country.

According to SDPI research, the tobacco industry has manipulated public media platforms, including the state-owned Radio Pakistan, to promote pro-tobacco narratives. Researchers reviewed 20 hours of radio programming to assess this influence.

“The tobacco industry employs strategies like astroturfing, lobbying, and greenwashing to sanitize its image,” Dr. Janjua remarked. In response, SDPI has engaged with government entities like the Ministry of Health and the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation to counter these narratives. The institute has also published six op-eds, produced radio programs, and leveraged social media for broader outreach.

Dr. Sophie Braznell, Research Associate at the University of Bath, stressed the need for global governments to recognize and resist tobacco industry interference. “Identifying these instances is our strongest tool to counter their tactics,” she noted.

Dr. Tracy Johnston, from STOP UK, debunked the tobacco industry’s claims of economic growth through investments in the pharmaceutical sector, labeling these as misleading. She emphasized that these claims mask the industry’s contribution to escalating health burdens.

Dr. Minhaj us Siraj, CEO of Syndicate Health, provided a local perspective on the exorbitant costs of tobacco advertisements. “A quarter-page ad in a leading daily can cost around half a million rupees,” he said, underlining the immense resources employed to influence public perception. Dr. Siraj also revealed attempts by the tobacco industry to manipulate international frameworks like the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which Pakistan successfully resisted.

At the local level, Ms. Sania Ali Khan, Technical Lead for the STOP Project, criticized the tobacco industry’s use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to mask its harmful effects. “The tobacco industry causes 274 deaths daily and hooks 1,200 youths each day. Yet, they continue to pose as socially responsible through welfare programs,” she stated. She also urged stronger action against celebrities endorsing tobacco products.

Mr. Khurram Hashmi, Senior Technical Lead at Vital Strategies, called for stronger tobacco control policies. “While significant strides have been made, the industry’s interference remains a pressing issue. SDPI is steadfast in its mission to protect public health and expose these tactics,” he concluded.

The seminar underscored that as the tobacco industry continues to challenge public health efforts, organizations like SDPI are working tirelessly to expose its manipulations and advocate for stronger regulations. With ongoing research, public awareness, and global collaboration, the vision of a tobacco-free future remains within reach.