10 June 2025, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran – In a demonstration of their commitment to public health, on 28 May the University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) jointly hosted an event designed to advance tobacco control initiatives and foster healthier university environments across the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The gathering, held days before World No Tobacco Day, brought together senior officials, academics, students and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The event underscored the deepening collaborative effort, spearheaded by the University of Tehran and expanded through its strategic partnership with TUMS, to implement robust tobacco-free policies across university campuses and cultivate a pervasive culture of health and well-being among students and faculty.
WHO Regional Adviser for the Tobacco Free Initiative Programme Dr Fatimah El-Awa delivered a compelling overview of global and regional tobacco trends. Her presentation covered the severe health risks associated with tobacco use and showcased a comprehensive array of evidence-based strategies to mitigate them. Dr El-Awa highlighted the insidious marketing employed by the tobacco industry to ensnare youth and called on governments to fortify regulatory measures to better protect vulnerable populations.
Head of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at the WHO Iran Country Office Dr Afshin Ostovar emphasized the pivotal role played by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in shaping effective national public health policies and underscored Iran's progress in implementing the Framework.
Chancellor of the University of Tehran Dr Mohammad Hossein Omid used his address to underline the importance of strict enforcement of existing tobacco control laws. Despite existing prohibitions on campus, Dr Omid expressed concern over the continued prevalence of smoking among faculty and students and called for consistent policy enforcement.
Both universities expressed their commitment to reinforcing their partnership through unified policy implementation, expanded awareness campaigns designed to educate and empower, and strategic institutional reforms, all aligned with global efforts to eradicate tobacco use and protect public health.
Following the main speeches, a series of key figures shared their invaluable perspectives on the profound harms of tobacco use and the undeniable importance of cultivating truly tobacco-free university environments. Dr Mohammad Hossein Pourgharib, Vice Chancellor for Student and Cultural Affairs of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, gracefully served as the host for this insightful segment. Other prominent speakers included Dr Hamidreza Hassanabadi, Director General of the Counseling and Health Office at the Student Affairs Organization of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, and Dr Azarakhsh Mokri, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Tehran. Each speaker, from their unique vantage point, converged on the critical and urgent need to sustain and intensify efforts towards creating healthier, truly tobacco-free university campuses for the benefit of current and future generations.
