BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Tobacco industry interference remains a significant obstacle to effective tobacco control in Pakistan. The industry employs manipulative tactics to influence policy decisions, undermine public health, and weaken regulatory frameworks. Despite commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), particularly Article 5.3, the socio-political complexities and enforcement gaps make addressing these challenges difficult.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Our qualitative research analyzed strategies to counter tobacco industry interference, drawing on successful case studies in Pakistan. Key interventions included grassroots mobilization with civil society, legal advocacy, and strengthening international collaboration. These efforts emphasized the need for improved legal frameworks, transparency, and accountability mechanisms in policy development.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The findings highlighted diverse strategies to expose and counter the industry's manipulative practices. Achievements included landmark legal victories, increased public awareness, and community engagement demanding stricter regulations. Examples include the removal of the "kiddy pack" order, vaping bans in cities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the declaration of Gutka as illegal in Sindh Province. These successes demonstrate the power of coordinated advocacy in promoting public health. However, challenges such as limited resources and opposition from entrenched allies underscore the importance of sustained advocacy and capacity building.
CONCLUSIONS: In Pakistan's unique socio-political context, advocacy is vital to protecting public health from tobacco industry interference. This study offers a roadmap for policymakers, advocates, and civil society organizations by sharing effective strategies and solutions. Sustained, transparent, and collaborative efforts are essential to prioritize health over corporate interests, fulfilling Pakistan's WHO FCTC commitments and safeguarding the population's well-being.