The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) received an award on World No Tobacco Day for ensuring that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar was smoke-free. By implementing stringent measures to combat smoking inside and outside the stadiums and fan areas, Qatar took a firm role in reducing the harms of smoking during the event.

The Minister of Public Health, HE Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, and health ministers and senior officials attended the award ceremony. Dr. Kholoud Ateeq Al Mutawa, Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Department at the MoPH, accepted the award on behalf of the ministry from Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Alongside the award ceremony, Qatar hosted the "Building a Legacy for Sports and Health After Major Sporting Events" event to speak about the methodology and outcomes of public health and sports.

In a statement, Dr. Al Mutawa expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating that the award symbolizes the culmination of the joint efforts exerted by the MoPH and relevant authorities to ensure that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was a smoke-free tournament.

Dr. Al Mutawa emphasized that the MoPH, in collaboration with various concerned entities in the country, is diligently working to combat smoking in Qatar and have launched initiatives and awareness campaigns aimed at safeguarding public health. She stressed that the WHO award serves as a motivating force to continue their efforts against smoking.