Iraq bans waterpipes, creates awareness and combats illicit trade in tobacco products: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Iraq ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2008 and in 2012 passed the Anti-Smoking Act No. 19 to reduce tobacco use in the population.

 

However, the Government quickly realised that more was needed to be done, as most imported tobacco products were not controlled; smuggling was rife; and tobacco products were cheap and easily available, even to younger people. Therefore, after evidence-based input from the WHO Tobacco Free Initiative, Iraq became the second country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to ratify the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products in 2015.

 

Traceability of products is an essential part of the Protocol, which led Iraq to amend its standard specifications for tobacco products. These amendments have resulted in the addition of labelling on all tobacco products, and the tracking of country of origin and country of sale. Tax increases on imported tobacco products aim to reduce tobacco use.

 

Today, Iraq is sharing tobacco smuggling information and experiences with other countries that have ratified the Protocol. It is also actively communicating with neighbouring countries and countries across the Region to encourage them to ratify the Protocol and work together to control illicit tobacco trade. 

 

Alongside regular mass media anti-tobacco campaigns, the Ministry of Health has run targeted campaigns. One such campaign ran for three consecutive weeks in October and November 2018. Run in collaboration with religious leaders, the campaign targeted the millions of people visiting the Holy City of Karbala during a religious event. Videos, leaflets and posters warned people of the dangers of smoking and passive smoking, with a focus on waterpipes. Other campaigns have included anti-tobacco seminars and lectures at health centres and in schools.

 

In the same year, the Ministry of Health set up a stand at the 45th Baghdad International Fair, offering information on the dangers of tobacco and advice on how to quit. This included Iraq’s first public exhibition of a carbon monoxide analyser to show people how toxic tobacco smoke really is. This had an impact on visitors, many of whom were keen to quit smoking immediately.

 

The campaigns have been a success. This is largely due to the involvement of multiple ministries and authorities across government, which have worked together to highlight the dangers of tobacco use. 

 

Iraq’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was coordinated by the multisectoral Crisis Committee. It worked closely with the Higher Committee for Anti-Smoking at the Ministry of Health, with the latter developing an emergency tobacco control plan based on the WHO MPOWER package.

 

In March 2020, Iraq closed all cafes and restaurants as part of its COVID-19 pandemic response. By extension, this ended the public use of waterpipes. Authorities also prohibited the use of waterpipes in outdoor public spaces by using the Anti-Smoking Act No. 19 of 2012.