ISLAMABAD: Despite the global rise of alternative nicotine products, a 2026 Gallup & Gilani Pakistan poll reveals that awareness of electronic cigarettes and vaping remains remarkably low in Pakistan, with only 17 percent of the adult population having heard of the technology.
This lack of familiarity is shaped by significant demographic divides, most notably a sharp 31 point gap between educational tiers; while 43 percent of those with higher education are aware of vaping, only 12 percent of those with less than an FA education can say the same.
The data further highlights a distinct urban-rural split, with urban residents being more than twice as likely to be informed as their rural counterparts, while younger Pakistanis under 30 show the highest engagement compared to older age groups.
Ultimately, these findings suggest that while vaping is a growing topic in international health circles, it remains a fringe concept for the vast majority of Pakistanis, posing a unique challenge for regulators and public health advocates who must bridge a massive information gap before effective national policies or harm-reduction strategies can be implemented.
