The Deadly Health Risks of Naswar: The Use of Smokeless Tobacco Must Be Halted in Pakistan

Among the most consumed smokeless tobacco products in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naswar has been in use for millions of centuries, especially with the Pashtun ethnic group. However, Recent studies have found the harsh realities associated with this otherwise harmless product. However, the constituent ingredients of naswar are hazardous and perilously likely to cause severe health problems, including cancer. Smokeless tobacco products need to be regulated in Pakistan.

Naswar: 

Deadly but Prolific Naswar is used widely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and almost 60% of the tobacco users from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are confined to Peshawar city only. The numbers are high in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where about 15% of the general population uses naswar as their nicotine source. But what many may not realize is that naswar is far from harmless.

New Research Discloses Toxic Ingredients of Naswar:

This has been found in a recent study conducted by the Khyber Medical University along with the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Test reports of the 14 major brands of naswar of all the seven divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Mardan, Hazara, Kohat, D.I. Khan, Bannu, and Malakand, show some alarming things about naswar: "Nicotine, invisible metals, and aflatoxin components are very harmful to one's health and are contained in naswar."

A total of 85 different chemical compounds were identified in naswar samples through GC-MS analysis, where the most prevalent was nicotine. The latter poses a health risk that might cause cancer.

The Strong Case for Smokeless Tobacco Control Policies

Almost 8% of Pakistan's population uses various forms of smokeless tobacco. While the highest burden of using Naswar is recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it remains a public health issue of great concern across the nation. Researchers and public health experts find it advisable that efforts are made to propose and implement control policies for smokeless tobacco to reduce its usage.

Sharia Law and Naswar: A Taxing Debate

Agriculture Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Major (Retd.) Sajjad Khattak, challenged levying tax on naswar and termed it an unjust approach because it is a commonly used tool of intoxication and Sharia does not prohibit its usage. But the new findings related to harmful components present in naswar might re-ignite the debate over the regulation and taxation of such products in the larger interest of public health.

Conclusion: Protecting Public Health in Pakistan

The findings of recent research on naswar reflect that there is a desperate need for a smokeless tobacco control policy in the country. Despite being liked and used by many, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the health hazards due to its use must be addressed. Therefore, it is urgently required to take control measures regarding naswar and raise awareness against its danger to safeguard public health.