Qatar's Tobacco Control Experience Showcased At Forum For Tobacco Control In Riyadh

Riyadh, June 17 (QNA) - At the invitation of the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Head of Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Tobacco Control Center Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla represented Qatar at the 7th National Forum for Tobacco Control. Dr. Al Mulla presented Qatar's pioneering experience in the field of tobacco control. He noted that Qatar is among the first countries to introduce tobacco cessation services in the region, highlighting that HMC's Tobacco Control Center has been designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for treating tobacco dependence. In addition, Dr. Al Mulla presented the journey of HMC's Tobacco Control Center and the most important milestones of the Center and Qatar in terms of enacting tobacco control legislations. Dr. Al Mulla also explained the role of HMC's Tobacco Control Center in raising public awareness about the harm of smoking and presented some of the research projects carried out by the Center, as well as the aspects of cooperation between the Center and the WHO to promote knowledge-sharing in the field of tobacco control. Dr. Al Mulla stressed that Qatar will continue to support effective cooperation among GCC countries to step up efforts in the field of tobacco control. The conference brought together an elite of regional and international experts from WHO and regional and global organizations and anti-tobacco community advocates. It included several presentations from representatives of tobacco control sectors in Saudi Arabia and the region The attendees stressed the importance of permanent and effective cooperation in this field, as this forum supports the standardization of efforts to combat tobacco in the Gulf countries. (QNA)