ISLAMABAD
\nPakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC) on Wednesday launched Omni\u2122, a pioneering global platform designed to drive awareness and informed discussions around Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR).
\nThis platform aligns with BAT Group\u2019s commitment to building A Smokeless World through science-backed innovations, said a news release.
\nOriginally unveiled at BAT\u2019s inaugural Transformation Forum in London in September 2024, Omni\u2122 serves as an evidence-based, accessible, and dynamic platform that showcases how innovation and scientific research can contribute to a reduction in smoking-related disease. The resource is available at www.asmokelessworld.com.
\nThe launch event was held here and was attended by the Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, alongside many key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, policymakers, and members of the media.
\nSpeaking at the event, PTC\u2019s CEO and Managing Director, Syed Ali Akbar, emphasized the company\u2019s ongoing transformation from a single-category tobacco company to a multi-category consumer goods business. \u201cSince we launched our tobacco-free oral nicotine product, Velo, in 2019, we have offered adult smokers in Pakistan with a choice of compelling, innovative alternatives to cigarettes. Our company\u2019s transformation is about providing adult smokers and traditional tobacco consumers with quality alternative products with reduced risk profiles compared with continued smoking.\u201d he stated.
\nDr. James Murphy, BAT\u2019s Director of Research and Science, and a lead author of Omni\u2122, highlighted the importance of fostering open and evidence-based dialogue on THR. \u201cWe\u2019re conscious that building a Smokeless World cannot be achieved through BAT\u2019s efforts alone, but only through collaboration. That\u2019s why we\u2019re inviting anyone who shares our vision \u2013 including those who might disagree with us \u2013 to review the evidence and join the conversation,\u201d he remarked.
\nOmni\u2122 consolidates hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies, BAT\u2019s own research into its innovations, and real-world evidence to provide answers to some of the most pressing topics related to THR, including what is the risk of using smokeless products compared to smoking, are smokeless products a gateway to cigarette smoking, and what is nicotine.
\nKingsley Wheaton, BAT\u2019s Chief Corporate Officer, added: \u201cAt BAT, we believe that Tobacco Harm Reduction \u2013 encouraging smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch completely to less risky alternatives \u2013 is the fastest route to achieving a Smokeless World. We are committed to working with all global stakeholders to make this a reality. Omni\u2122 is more than a resource. Omni\u2122 is a platform for essential dialogue, a call to action, and a commitment to scientific integrity and public health.\u201d
\nAli Pervaiz Malik addressed the economic impacts of tobacco-related health costs in Pakistan, stating: \u201cGlobal THR policies, as seen in countries like Sweden and New Zealand, provide a roadmap for reducing smoking-related health burdens. Exploring such strategies is imperative for Pakistan.\u201d
\nThe launch of Omni\u2122 marks a significant milestone in PTC\u2019s and BAT\u2019s commitment to advancing science-based harm reduction strategies. By fostering transparency, accessibility, and collaboration, Omni\u2122 aims to equip policymakers, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders with the information needed to drive meaningful change.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC) on Wednesday launched Omni\u2122, a pioneering global platform designed to drive awareness and informed discussions around Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR). This platform aligns with BAT Group\u2019s commitment to building A Smokeless World through science-backed innovations, said a news release. Originally unveiled at BAT\u2019s inaugural Transformation Forum in London in …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":77712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77725"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77738,"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77725\/revisions\/77738"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nabanews.pk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}