Breaking Free from Tobacco: Seminar on Evolving Trends in Nicotine and Tobacco Products Concludes Successfully

The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) and Health Services Academy (HSA) recently co-hosted a seminar titled “Evolving Trends: A Deep Dive into New Nicotine and Tobacco Products” at Jasmine Hall, Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi, aimed at educating healthcare professionals.
The seminar brought together a diverse group of doctors, dentists, and students from Sindh and Punjab to discuss the latest advancements in nicotine and tobacco products, focusing on its health implications. The event was designed to equip participants with updated knowledge and tools to tackle the challenges posed by the rapidly shifting tobacco landscape in Pakistan.

“As pulmonologists and healthcare providers, our role goes beyond treatment. Staying ahead of trends in nicotine and tobacco products empowers us to guide our patients more effectively and advocate for robust, evidence-based public health policies,” said Dr. Mati Ur Rahman, Professor of Pulmonology and Dean of Allied Health Sciences, HSA.

Prominent experts Dr. Babar T. Shakh from HSA, Dr. Mujahid Hussain, and Dr. Madiha Siddiqi, IHHN shared critical insights into the evolving complexities of new nicotine products. Dr. Babar highlighted the public health risks posed by these products, stating, “Emergence of new nicotine and tobacco products have serious public health implications such as unclear ingredients and safety parameters; easy access and greater uptake by youth with the misconception that these products are less harmful; and there is also uncertainty about long term health impacts. Effective regulation is the need of the hour to address the rampant use and promotion of new tobacco and nicotine products.”

The event also featured a dynamic panel discussion with multidisciplinary professionals: Dr. Sohail Akhtar (IHHN), Dr. Javaid Khan (AKUH), Dr. Shahid Baig (HSA), Dr. Abdul Salam Majeed Agha (Memon Medical Institute), Dr. Najeeb Naimatullah (SIUT), and Dr. Faridah Amin (IHHN). Together, they discussed how these products can harm the heart and lungs, increase the risk of cancer, and lead to addiction. The panelists stressed that these products contain highly addictive nicotine and other harmful elements that contribute to chronic diseases. “The chemicals in tobacco may cause genetic mutations, leading to cancer and other serious diseases,” cautioned Prof. Dr. Shahid Baig, Genetic Scientist and Dean of Life Sciences at HSA, adding to the dialogue on long-term risks.

A critical segment of the seminar reviewed the controversial use of new nicotine products as smoking cessation tools, weighing the benefits against public health risks and examining international guidelines for their use.

Dr. Saima Saeed, Head of Pulmonology and Director of the Lung Health Program at IHHN, underscored the need for swift action: “New nicotine products are becoming widely accessible and largely unregulated in Pakistan. While we’ve made progress in tobacco control, these emerging products present a growing challenge. Healthcare professionals and policymakers must collaborate to educate the public and push for stronger regulation. We must act now to prevent the situation from worsening.”

The seminar concluded with a call to action, encouraging continued collaboration and heightened awareness. Healthcare professionals were urged to take a proactive stance in reducing the harmful effects of nicotine and tobacco products, advocating for stronger public health policies to protect communities from these growing threats.