The GCC Tobacco Control Committee discussed in its 21st meeting that was hosted by the Ministry of Health in Coral Deira Hotel in Dubai “yesterday Sunday 29th January 2012” ways of updating the GCC tobacco control plan and implemented strategies, warning images and other topics related to anti smoking and tobacco control.

At the opening session, Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Policies at the Ministry of Health, welcomed the members of the committee conveying the greetings of His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Acting Minister of Health and expressing his gratitude for the efforts of the executive office of the GCC Health Ministers Council. He also reassured the efforts of the GCC tobacco control committee for fighting tobacco and smoking practices in the gulf region.

He said: “All of us must unite our efforts and visions to find a mechanism for facing smoking dangers and their economic impacts and unhealthy dangers. The United Arab Emirates finalized the issuance of the tobacco control federal law and made great efforts in preparing the executive by laws that are expected to be approved soon by competent authorities”.

Dr. Fikri also explained that tobacco is one of the main causes of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases and cancer. Therefore, it is very important for all GCC countries to unite their efforts in elimination the dissemination of tobacco and smoking control through one vision, plans and goals in the region.

He also noted the importance of implementing common bylaws and regulations by addressing school students and through the school health programs. The youth represent the younger generations and get attracted to smoking advertisements and promotional items. “We must have intensive programs and activities to promote tobacco control, prevent and eliminate their dissemination in schools completely”, he added.

Dr. Fikri then reviewed with the members the decisions and recommendations of the Executive Office of the GCC Health Ministers Council, the Regional Office of the WHO Mediterranean Office, articles of the framework agreement to control tobacco and the report of the World Health Organization regarding tobacco control in 2011 that includes the warning against the dangers of tobacco.

The members also discussed the results of the regional workshop which was held in Cairo last year about the application of the WHO agreement concerning tobacco control, the address of the Regional Office of the WHO Mediterranean Office which will be stated during the meeting to be held at the beginning of May in cooperation with WHO main offices.

Additionally, the members also reviewed the accomplishments of the regional countries regarding the application of tobacco control procedures, implementation of the decisions of the Executive Office of the GCC Health Ministers Council and their recommendations as well as the framework agreement.

The committee members also highlighted the celebration of the GCC countries with the World Tobacco Control Day under the title “Intervention of Tobacco Companies”; their control on the markets; control over promotional and advertising materials and ways of fighting such attempts.

It is noted that the GCC countries will provide an assumption and detailed report about their efforts in fighting and controlling tobacco as well as their cooperation with all related countries in the seminar that will be held in Cairo next May to discuss tobacco and their taxes in the region. The GCC tobacco control committee will also highlight their efforts in improving and developing their tobacco control plan and implemented strategies, unite mechanisms and coordination with all neighboring countries to achieve the required results.