Doha, Qatar: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31, Anti Smoking Society ‘Zemam’ launched a series of awareness initiatives to promote community awareness of the dangers of smoking and reduce tobacco use in all its forms, in line with Qatar’s public health efforts.
The initiatives are part of the Association’s 2026 awareness plan, which focuses on expanding preventive programmes and strengthening partnerships with health, educational, and public and private sector institutions to support national tobacco control efforts.
Among the key initiatives was the launch of the “Smoke-Free Companies” campaign, encouraging workplaces to adopt anti-smoking policies and create healthier work environments. The Association also organised awareness campaigns for school students and adolescents, highlighting the dangers of smoking and e-cigarettes while promoting healthy lifestyles among young people.
The initiative targeted several major entities, including the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee, Qatar Islamic Bank, Ooredoo, Al Rayan Bank, Kahramaa, Katara Hospitality, and FMM.
General Manager of Anti-Smoking Society ‘Zemam’, Abdulaziz Al Ishaq stated that the charity continues to implement awareness programmes as part of its social responsibility to protect the community from the harms of tobacco, emphasising that youth awareness remains a key priority.
He added that the charity is committed to developing sustainable educational initiatives and expanding cooperation with relevant stakeholders to maximise the impact of tobacco prevention efforts.
Al Ishaq also noted that recent health indicators highlight the importance of continuing preventive and awareness campaigns. According to Qatar’s 2023 Stepwise Survey on Risk Factors, tobacco use prevalence reached 13.4%, while daily smoking prevalence stood at 9.9%.
The data also showed that current tobacco smoking rates declined from 16.4% in 2012 to 14.6% in 2023, while daily smoking rates dropped from 14.7% to 11.7% during the same period, reflecting progress in tobacco control efforts despite the ongoing need for stronger prevention and awareness programmes. He added.
He reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to working closely with government entities, private sector institutions, and civil society organisations to support national anti-smoking initiatives and promote healthier lifestyles across the community.
