Dr. Mohammad Reza Masjedi Appointed to Oversee the Implementation of Iran’s National Tobacco Prevention Resolution

Tehran, Iran — Pursuant to an official decree issued by the Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, Dr. Mohammad Reza Masjedi, Secretary-General of the Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association (IATA), has been appointed as the lead authority responsible for implementing the resolution entitled “Issues, Strategies, National Actions, and Inter-Agency Task Division for Cultural and Social Prevention of Tobacco Use in the Country.”

Official Mandate

The decree was issued by Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Dr. Abdolhossein Khosropanah, Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, following notification No. 24660, dated February 8, 2026. It entrusts Dr. Masjedi with this responsibility for a two-year term.

The appointment is intended to advance the implementation of the country’s Cultural Engineering Map, drawing on Dr. Masjedi’s experience and expertise in tobacco control and public health prevention.

Core Responsibilities

According to the decree, Dr. Masjedi’s principal responsibilities include:

• Implementation and Oversight: Ensuring the effective implementation of the national resolution on the cultural and social prevention of tobacco use.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Establishing mechanisms to strengthen the participation and capacities of government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious institutions, family support networks, the media, and academic and professional communities.
• Mobilization of Institutional Resources: Making effective use of existing capacities, particularly the infrastructure and expertise of the Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association (IATA), to advance tobacco prevention and control initiatives.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

In accordance with Note 3 of the resolution, the decree requires the establishment and implementation of a Monitoring and Evaluation System. Dr. Masjedi is responsible for:

• Submitting analytical progress reports every six months.
• Applying performance indicators to assess implementation and measure progress.
• Identifying operational challenges and proposing corrective policy recommendations to the Steering and Oversight Committee of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.

Conclusion of the Decree

The decree concludes with an expression of hope that, through reliance on the Almighty, a commitment to dedicated public service, collective wisdom, and the participation of experts and the public, Dr. Masjedi will contribute to implementing the cultural policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, promoting social health, and safeguarding the nation’s human capital.