The smog that has engulfed central Punjab, particularly Lahore and Multan, has reached perilous levels, creating a severe public health and environmental crisis. During the winter months, the combination of crop stubble burning, industrial emissions, vehicular pollution and weather patterns traps toxic pollutants over the region, leading to dangerously high concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air.

The dense smog reduces visibility, disrupts daily life and exacerbates respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Hospitals have seen a surge in patients suffering from conditions like asthma, bronchitis and heart ailments. In cities like Lahore, where pollution levels regularly exceed safe limits, the smog has become a constant threat to public health, making it a pressing issue for both local authorities and the residents who bear the brunt of its harmful effects.

Christine LA Johnson’s book, London’s Smog: Environmental and Public Health in the 19th and 20th Centuries offers a detailed examination of the devastating smog events in London, particularly focusing on the Great Smog of 1952. This book may serve as a guideline for the Punjab. It explores the environmental, public health and political consequences of the toxic air pollution that plagued the city during this period. It also highlights the actions taken by Winston Churchill’s government and subsequent administrations to address the smog and improve air quality in the city.

In mid-20th-Century London, air pollution reached alarming levels, especially during the winter months when coal burning for heating was at its peak. The resulting smog, a combination of smoke and fog, could blanket the city for days, severely reducing visibility and creating a hazardous environment.

The dense smog contained a mix of harmful pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide, particulate matter and various toxic chemicals — all by-products of burning coal. The Great Smog of 1952, which lasted for five days from December 5 to December 9, stands out as the most catastrophic event. During this period, the smog caused immediate deaths, with the toll estimated at around 4,000 people.

However, studies suggest that the longer-term health effects led to an additional 8,000–12,000 premature deaths in the weeks following the event. Many Londoners suffered from severe respiratory problems, with cases of bronchitis, asthma and other lung conditions reaching critical levels.

Hospitals were overwhelmed and those most vulnerable, particularly the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions, died from asphyxiation or aggravated respiratory diseases. The impact on public life was severe — people struggled to breathe and were forced to navigate the city with torches or walking sticks as visibility was often reduced to just a few metres. Transportation systems came to a halt, schools closed and businesses faced significant productivity losses as the health hazards and disruptions kept people indoors.

Winston Churchill, who served as prime minister during the early 1950s, did not initially take decisive action to address the smog problem. However, the devastation of the Great Smog of 1952 prompted the government to respond.

The primary focus of the government’s action was on improving public health and passing legislation aimed at reducing pollution. One of the most significant steps was the introduction of the Clean Air Act of 1956, under Churchill’s successor, Anthony Eden. This landmark piece of legislation sought to reduce coal burning in urban areas, particularly for heating and industrial processes.

It was one of the first major environmental laws in the UK. The Act created smokeless zones, particularly in central London, where only smokeless fuels like gas or electricity could be used. The government also encouraged the conversion of homes and industries from coal heating to cleaner fuels such as gas and electricity.

Along with this, the Act led to the installation of cleaner technologies in factories and power plants to reduce emissions and imposed regulations on industrial plants to install taller chimneys that would disperse smoke over larger areas, helping to rduce localised pollution.

The public health response was also strengthened. Emergency procedures were put in place to treat respiratory illnesses caused by the smog. Health services were expanded, and public education campaigns were launched to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution. In addition to these immediate measures, the government worked on long-term urban planning to reduce pollution, including promoting cleaner fuels for heating and industrial processes and encouraging better ventilation in buildings. There was also an emphasis on the development of green spaces to improve air quality and make the urban environment more liveable.

In recent years, the Punjab and its capital city, Lahore, have faced increasingly severe air pollution, which at times reaches levels similar to those in mid-20th-Century London. The causes of the pollution in the Punjab are also similar, including the burning of crop stubble, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and a high dependence on coal-based energy. Although the specific circumstances differ, there are several important lessons the Punjab government can draw from London’s experience.

One of the most critical lessons is the importance of comprehensive legislative action. The government could adopt a version of the Clean Air Act, tailored to local conditions, that includes setting up designated smokeless zones, particularly in major cities and industrial areas.

These zones could restrict the use of polluting fuels such as biomass and coal, encouraging the adoption of cleaner alternatives such as electricity and gas. The government could also promote the use of electric vehicles, cleaner cooking technologies and renewable energy sources to further reduce dependence on polluting fuels.

In addition, the Punjab needs to invest in better air quality monitoring systems to collect real-time data on pollution levels. This data could be used to enforce air quality standards and alert the public about high-risk pollution days. Like the UK, the Punjab could introduce stricter penalties for industries that exceed pollution limits.

The government also needs to improve public health infrastructure to address the increasing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases caused by air pollution. Just as the UK responded to the Great Smog with expanded health services and clinics focused on treating air pollution-related illnesses, the Punjab could do the same.

Public education campaigns should be launched to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution; the importance of reducing stubble burning; and the benefits of using cleaner energy sources. Educating the public about these issues can have a significant impact in fostering behavioural change and encouraging individuals to take steps to protect their health.

One of the primary sources of air pollution in the Punjab is the burning of crop stubble, which significantly contributes to the smog during certain seasons. The government should invest in technologies to help farmers manage stubble safely and efficiently. This could include promoting practices like baling, composting or using specialised machinery for crop residue management.

Offering financial incentives and subsidies to farmers who adopt these technologies would go a long way in addressing this issue. Similarly, urban planning policies should incorporate green spaces and better air circulation to help mitigate the urban heat island effect and improve air quality.

The Punjab government could also work closely with industries to retrofit existing plants with cleaner technologies and ensure that new industries comply with stringent environmental standards. Financial support or incentives could be provided to encourage industries to transition to cleaner practices.

Finally, the government could prioritise collaboration with various stakeholders, including environmental protection organisations, industry leaders and public health experts, to create a comprehensive strategy for reducing pollution and improving air quality.

The smog crisis in London during the mid-20th Century served as a wake-up call for governments worldwide. The introduction of the Clean Air Act of 1956 marked a turning point in environmental legislation and demonstrated that governments could take bold, effective action to curb pollution and protect public health.

The Punjab government can certainly draw valuable lessons from London’s experience, particularly in terms of legislation, technological innovations, public health infrastructure and awareness campaigns. By taking a multifaceted approach, the Punjab can work to address its air pollution crisis and ensure a healthier future for its residents. Vehicles emitting smoke, brick kilns and the large-scale felling of trees must be controlled. It is also high time for Pakistan to start switching over to electric vehicles.

The writer is a professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore