As part of an assessment of progress in implementing the 12 steps of the Tobacco-Free Hospital initiative, Zahra Sadr, Head of the Women’s Unit at the Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association (IATA), visited Imam Khomeini Hospital on Monday, October 13, 2026. During the visit, she reviewed the initiative’s documentation and implementation measures, highlighting existing capacities and the need to expand programs to establish tobacco-free environments in healthcare facilities.
According to the Association’s Public Relations Office, the implementation of tobacco-free hospital policies was assessed in accordance with the initiative’s implementation guidelines, which the Association has provided to healthcare facilities. The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the measures undertaken and the requirements for effective implementation.
Given the size of Imam Khomeini Hospital, the number of buildings, and the range of clinical services provided across the complex, a field visit was conducted to one of the hospital buildings and its outpatient clinics to assess current conditions. Implementation measures were evaluated through direct observation, document review, and discussions with managers and staff from different departments.
One noteworthy measure was the inclusion of a prohibition on tobacco use in contracts with contractors. The hospital had also developed an operational plan based on the criteria and indicators established for the Tobacco-Free Hospital initiative, incorporating relevant actions into its implementation program.
Another notable measure was the collection of tobacco-free commitment forms from medical students by Tehran University of Medical Sciences before they began their clinical placements at Imam Khomeini Hospital. This initiative aims to strengthen a culture of tobacco-use prevention and promote compliance with tobacco-free environment requirements.
During the review of the documentation and actions undertaken, supplementary explanations were provided on several points and were welcomed by the relevant officials.
Following the field visit, a brief meeting was held with Dr. Rostamian, Director of Imam Khomeini Hospital, to discuss the initiative’s implementation status and the need to expand related activities.
Although a considerable number of the initiative’s requirements had been implemented and many of its indicators incorporated into the hospital’s plans, the hospital director emphasized the need for further action and the expansion of programs supporting the Tobacco-Free Hospital initiative.
The visit was conducted to assess progress in implementing the 12 steps of the Tobacco-Free Hospital initiative, identify existing capacities, and explore the measures needed to complete implementation and strengthen tobacco-use prevention policies in healthcare settings.
