The Jordanian National Epidemics Committee and Ministry of Health are leading the efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jordan’s Ministry of Health is focusing on three main areas within tobacco control: enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places, adapting smoking cessation services and establishing partnerships to provide nicotine replacement therapy.
The Syrian Ministry of Health ramped up health awareness activities around tobacco control in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Ministry is focusing on banning waterpipes, creating national awareness through mass media and providing smoking cessation services during this critical time.
Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education is ramping up health awareness activities during the critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry is focusing, within tobacco control, on two areas: enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places and a nationwide tobacco free initiative.
UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention is focusing on three main areas within tobacco control during the COVID-19 pandemic: enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places, a national awareness campaign and adapting smoking cessation services.
Sudan creates national awareness and bans waterpipes during COVID-19
The Sudan Federal Ministry of Health ramped up health awareness activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry is focusing on two main areas within tobacco control: a national awareness campaign and enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health set up the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee under the chairmanship of His Excellency Health Minister, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. The Committee oversees all COVID-19 related activities and developments. The Committee runs regular press conferences to update the public with the latest developments of the pandemic across the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health is focusing on three main areas within tobacco control: enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places, national awareness campaigns and smoking cessation services.
The State of Qatar set up the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ministry of Public Health is ramping up health awareness activities during this critical period. Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health is focusing on three main areas within tobacco control: enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places, a national awareness campaign and smoking cessation services.
Oman bans waterpipes and creates national awareness during COVID-19
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman appointed a Supreme Committee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee is tasked with tackling developments resulting from COVID-19 and ensuring preventive measures are in place to curb the pandemic. The Committee is headed by His Excellency the Minister of Interior and is formed from officials representing key ministries and government entities. The Head of the National Tobacco Control committee and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health is a member of the Supreme Committee. The Ministry of Health is focusing on two main areas in tobacco control: enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places, and recognizing World No Tobacco Day 2020 and linking its activities to COVID-19.
Lebanon bans waterpipes and adapts smoking cessation services during COVID-19
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has intensified its health awareness activities, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry has setup a Crisis Committee Chaired by His Excellency the Minister of Public Health. The Ministry has launched a mobile application to update the public about the latest COVID-19 related information and health awareness data. The Ministry is focusing on two main areas within tobacco control: enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places and adapting smoking cessation services. The Ministry has been leading the efforts of tobacco control through close coordination with the ministries of interior, tourism, media, justice, economics and finance and municipalities.
Egypt bans waterpipes and ramps up health awareness during COVID-19
The Government of Egypt has setup the Higher Committee for Novel Coronavirus Crisis Management in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Health and Population is ramping up health awareness activities during this critical period. Tobacco control was among the priority COVID-19 relevant awareness areas, focusing on a number of tobacco control interventions, such as: enforcing a ban on waterpipes (locally known as shisha) use in public places, running awareness campaigns on deleterious health impact of tobacco use especially during the pandemic, renewing pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products, finalizing the review of tobacco control law and approving accession of Egypt to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
Kuwait bans waterpipes and creates national awareness during COVID-19
Kuwait’s Ministry of Health ramped up health awareness activities including tobacco control, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry launched, on 31 March 2020, a national campaign to raise awareness of COVID-19 risks and protection measures. Kuwait’s Ministry of Health is focusing on two main areas in tobacco control: enforcing a ban on waterpipe use in public places and a national awareness campaign. The Ministry is collaborating closely with several ministries and sectors to facilitate these efforts, whilst considering the challenges posed by most staff working remotely which prolongs the time for interaction and activities.
Iraq bans waterpipes, creates awareness and combats illicit trade in tobacco products
Iraq’s Government has set up a multisectoral Crisis Committee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Crisis Committee is formed from a number of ministries which collaborate closely to curb the pandemic. Iraq’s Ministry of Health is ramping up health awareness activities during this critical period. The Higher Committee for Anti-smoking at the Ministry of Health has developed an emergency plan, based on the MPOWER package, introducing activities for tobacco control in light of the current restrictions. The Higher Committee is focusing on three main areas within tobacco control: enforcing a ban on use of waterpipes in public places, creating awareness through campaigns, and combating illicit trade in tobacco products.
Bahrain bans waterpipes and creates national awareness during COVID-19
The Government of Bahrain set up the Executive Committee headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee monitors and places measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, a National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been set up. Tobacco control activities during this critical time include a ban on waterpipe use in public places and a national awareness campaign.