Issues Iran

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Iran. Every year, more than 39300 of its people are killed by tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 24000 children (10-14 years old) and 5816000 adults (15+ years old) continue to use tobaccoeach day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in Iran and ensures that tobacco'sdeath toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities and resources to strengthentheir efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

18.7%Even though fewer men smoke onaverage in Iran than on average in high-HDI countries, there are still more than5665900 men who smoke cigarettes eachday, making it an ongoing and dire publichealth threat.

Female

0.5%Even though fewer women smoke in Iranthan on average in high-HDI countries,there are still more than 150600 womenwho smoke cigarettes each day, making itan ongoing and dire public health threat.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

0.6%Even though fewer boys smoke in Iran thanon average in high-HDI countries, there arestill more than 16700 boys who smokecigarettes each day, making it an ongoingand dire public health threat.

Girls

0.28%Even though fewer girls smoke in Iran thanon average in high-HDI countries, there arestill more than 7200 girls who smokecigarettes each day, making it sign of anongoing and dire public health threat.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

14.17%Even though fewer men die from tobaccoin Iran than on average in high-HDIcountries, tobacco still kills 596 men everyweek, necessitating action frompolicymakers.

Female

5.8%Even though fewer women die fromtobacco in Iran than on average in high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 159women every week, necessitating actionfrom policymakers.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in Iran amounts to 24846407million rial. This includes direct costs related to healthcareexpenditures and indirect costs related to lost productivitydue to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

n/a n/a

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, which isequal to 82% of the Gross National Income of Iran. Theindustry is a powerful force that does not fear the actions ofsmaller nation-states because of their extensive resourcesand global market power. Larger economies and nations havethe opportunity to help the smaller allies face down thisthreat.

Growing

There were 17749 metric tonsof tobacco produced in Iran in2014. However, tobaccogrowing is only a small fractionof agriculture in Iran, with only0.02% of agricultural landdevoted to tobaccocultivation.

Production

There were 45billion cigarettesproduced in Iranin 2016.

ta6.org/country/iran

Solutions Iran

Current Policy in IranProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Iran

11.16%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)

National Quitline Yes

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Graphic

Percent of Pack Covered 50%

Plain Packaging No

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience No

Target Audience Research Was Conducted No

Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes

Utilized Media Planning Yes

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation No

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness No

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

7/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

9/10possible bans

Ad Ban CompliancePercent

High

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• International magazinesand newspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising at point of sale• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Free distribution in mail or through other means• Promotional discounts• Non-tobacco products identified with tobacco brand names• Brand name of non-tobacco products used for tobacco product• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (product placement)• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco products• Complete ban on sponsorship• Any form of contribution (financial or other support) to any event,activity or individual• Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support bythe tobacco industry of events, activities, individuals

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