The Society for Alternative Media and Research (SAMAR) on Friday launched the fifth Pakistan Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2025, reporting that Pakistan now ranks 33rd out of 100 countries. The update comes as part of SAMAR’s ongoing monitoring of tobacco industry influence on public policy and governance.
The national score increased slightly from 53 to 54, a change the report attributes to growing interactions between the tobacco industry and certain non-health government sectors. Despite the higher score, SAMAR described the shift in rank as an overall improvement in Pakistan’s standing on the Tobacco Industry Interference landscape
Tobacco Industry Interference in Pakistan is portrayed as both a challenge and an area where institutional resilience has made a difference. The Tobacco Control Cell at the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is singled out for resisting strong lobbying attempts to amend existing tobacco control laws, a development SAMAR highlighted as a key example of effective safeguards against industry pressure.
SAMAR called for the adoption of a formal Code of Conduct to guide interactions between all government departments and the tobacco industry, in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The report recommended that the Tobacco Control Cell lead and monitor implementation of the code to ensure consistent, transparent engagement across ministries and agencies.
“This is a timely report,” said Mazhar Arif, Executive Director of SAMAR. “We hope the government will implement its recommendations. The findings will also be useful as Pakistan prepares for upcoming COP and MOP meetings.” He reiterated SAMAR’s commitment to supporting both government and civil society in protecting tobacco control policies from industry influence.
The launch event was attended by government officials and health experts, including Director Tobacco Control Cell Dr Nadia Nooreen and Project Manager Aftab Ahmad, alongside tobacco control specialists and civil society representatives. SAMAR emphasised that continued vigilance and a clear Code of Conduct will be essential for Pakistan to sustain progress toward a tobacco and nicotine free future.
