The closing ceremony marking the completion of the fourth phase of the National PAD Program (Tobacco Use Prevention) was held on Sunday, 25 Aban of the current year, with the participation of administrators, instructors, and selected PAD assistants at the Hashemi Rafsanjani Conference Hall of the Robat Karim Department of Education.
According to the Public Relations Office of the Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association, the event was attended by Nader Yazdani, Deputy for Training and Upbringing of Robat Karim’s Department of Education; Dr. Sharif Torkaman-Nejad, Scientific Advisor to the Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association; Hamidreza Shahsoun, Executive Secretary of the PAD Program; Elham Moaf, Executive Director of the PAD Program in Varamin; Mr. Azizi, Health and Wellness Expert; and Fatemeh Soleimani, Executive Director of the PAD Program in Robat Karim.
In his remarks, Yazdani commended the efforts of administrators, instructors, and selected students, describing their collaboration as valuable for advancing educational objectives and enhancing students’ awareness.
Dr. Torkaman-Nejad, Scientific Advisor to the Association, also expressed appreciation for the contributions of administrators, instructors, and students to the implementation of the PAD Program. He emphasized that education plays a critical role in increasing awareness about tobacco control and highlighted the importance of examining the multifaceted harms associated with tobacco use.
Shahsoun, Executive Secretary of the PAD Program, outlined the program’s protocols and its implementation at the school, community, and city levels. He referred to PAD assistants as “the most important asset of the program,” underscoring the significant role that student assistants can play in raising awareness within schools, neighborhoods, and the broader community.
Increase in the Number of PAD Program Schools in Robat Karim
The Executive Director of the PAD Program in Robat Karim expressed her gratitude to all participants involved in the program’s implementation, noting that during the 2023–2024 academic year, 44 lower-secondary schools implemented the PAD Program, providing training to 5,200 seventh-grade students.
She added that in the current academic year, the number of lower-secondary schools implementing the PAD Program in Robat Karim has increased to 60 schools.
Recognition of Outstanding Administrators, Instructors, and PAD Assistants
At the conclusion of the ceremony, 32 outstanding administrators and instructors, along with 30 selected student PAD assistants, were honored with certificates of appreciation and commemorative gifts.
