The Tobacco Control Center at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) participated in a virtual session held by WHO recently. Participants stressed the importance of sustaining the shisha ban in public places to protect the public and to achieve a reduction of 30% of smoking tobacco by 2025. 
The session discussed the importance of establishing policies that prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco during Covid-19. Participants exchanged international views on approving effective methods and steps to control tobacco during Covid-19 and to establish an appropriate plan for members of the Middle East and North Africa countries, regarding the prohibition of smoking shisha in public places in the future.    
The session witnessed a participation of international and regional experts from WHO and other organisations in the region and around the world. Also present were tobacco control officials from Qatar and the region as well as tobacco control advocates from academic institutions and the community.
Qatar was one of the first countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to ban the use of shisha in public places to limit the spread of  Covid-19 in the country. The Tobacco Control Centre continues to provide its services and help those wishing to quit smoking and offers treatment and psychological support during the pandemic, through telephone consultations.