Qatar Elected Head of High Ministerial Group for Tobacco and Nicotine Control

Qatar Elected Head of High Ministerial Group for Tobacco and Nicotine Control

The State of Qatar was elected today as head of the World Health Organization high ministerial group for tobacco and nicotine products control, for the Middle East region.

The election took place during the first meeting of the ministerial group, today, via a virtual call, where the Qatari team was headed by HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari .
The meeting discussed the current problem of tobacco in the Middle East region, and the futuristic plans to combat it, as well as the tasks and work protocols of the ministerial group.

During the meeting, HE Minister of Public Health stressed the importance of adopting and activating comprehensive and effective policies in fighting off tobacco nationally and regionally, in accordance with the world Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and the six policies package program for Tobacco Control.

Her Excellency added that reaching a 30% reduction in tobacco consumption by 2025 requires a lot more serious work on the part of all involved parties to counter tobacco consumption, and especially amongst children which is crucial in this battle.

The High ministerial group tobacco and nicotine products control in the Middle East region compromises of six countries: the State of Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Tunisia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The State of Qatar will preside over the group for a year, whereas the group will continue its work for two years with possibility of renewal by 2025.

The ministerial group convenes twice a year, and it is working towards enhancing policies that aim to reach a 30% tobacco reduction between 2010 and 2025.

Moreover, the group encourages strategic leadership and work in combating tobacco and nicotine products on both a national and regional level, in addition to holding a high ranking discussion about the policies dedicated to this cause, and encouraging its implementation nationally and regionally, in accordance with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and the 6 policies program for Tobacco Control. The Ministerial group also seeks to keep its policies and measures updated with the latest tobacco products and innovations on a national level.

It also designs the protocols and strategies for confronting interference by tobacco producers that attempt to bypass the tobacco combating efforts.

It is worth mentioning that the six policies package is known as six MPOWER measures, and they are monitoring tobacco use and preventive measures; protecting people from tobacco smoke; offering help to quit; warning about the dangers of tobacco; enforcing bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and raising taxes on tobacco. 

Source: QNA