On Thursday, October 2, 2025, a meeting dedicated to the realization of the slogan “Varamin: A Tobacco-Free City” was held at the Varamin Governor’s Office, attended by Hossein Abbasi, the Special Governor of Varamin; Dr. Mohammad Reza Masjedi, Secretary-General of the Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association; Dr. Torkmannejad, the Association’s Scientific Advisor; Hamidreza Shahsoon, Executive Secretary of the PAD (Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program); Elham Moaf, PAD Executive Director in Varamin County; and a group of local officials and managers. The session highlighted the necessity of multi-sectoral collaboration among all executive bodies and relevant institutions to achieve the tobacco-free city initiative.
At the beginning of the session, Governor Hossein Abbasi underscored the importance of public awareness and preventive strategies against tobacco use, emphasizing that reducing tobacco consumption requires strong inter-organizational cooperation and judicial support. He further stated that all governmental agencies must actively contribute to achieving the “Tobacco-Free Varamin” goal.
Following him, Dr. Mohammad Reza Masjedi, Secretary-General of the Association, criticized the unrestricted import of tobacco products and noted: “Tobacco use is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, over 85% of cardiovascular-related deaths in Iran are directly or indirectly associated with tobacco consumption.”
In continuation, Dr. Torkmannejad, the Scientific Advisor of the Association, pointed to the growing prevalence of tobacco use, particularly among youth, and stressed the urgent need for targeted planning and public education to control the increasing trend of tobacco consumption.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Hamidreza Shahsoon, Executive Secretary of the PAD Program, expressed appreciation for the efforts made in Varamin County and called for enhanced intersectoral cooperation and stronger commitment from local authorities to effectively implement the strategies aimed at realizing the “Varamin, a Tobacco-Free City” initiative.
