An Arab union confronting the tobacco epidemic
A regional non-governmental framework connecting associations, organisations and experts working to control tobacco use and reduce its harmful impact across Arab communities.
Unifying Arab efforts and sharing expertise
The Arab Union for Tobacco Control (AUTC) is a regional non-governmental union bringing together Arab associations, organisations and individuals working in tobacco control and in reducing tobacco-related harm across Arab countries and the wider region.
AUTC is one of the projects of Egypt Health Foundation, registered with Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity since 2016. The Union seeks to confront the tobacco epidemic in coordination with Arab joint-action institutions and specialist regional and international organisations, foremost among them the World Health Organization. The Union's founding president is Dr Wael Safwat.
“Building a professional Arab coalition that combines health, community and youth expertise and translates it into sustainable awareness, training, cessation and partnership programmes.”
Seven strategic pillars
AUTC's priorities combine awareness, treatment services, policy, training, research and institutional cooperation.
Coordinating Efforts
Connecting associations and experts and exchanging effective experience across Arab countries.
Training Professionals
Preparing personnel for public awareness, dependence treatment and cessation-clinic management.
Supporting Research
Encouraging studies and partnerships between universities and research centres.
Protecting Young People
Responding to the targeting of children and adolescents by tobacco and nicotine products.
Supporting Cessation
Strengthening clinics, behavioural support, pharmacological treatment and digital solutions.
Countering Promotion
Monitoring advertising, sponsorship, digital marketing and youth-oriented flavours.
Regional Partnerships
Expanding cooperation with health, education and community institutions.
Measuring Impact
Developing indicators for monitoring, evaluation and regular reporting of results.
Representation from nine Arab countries
A founding council comprising institutions and experts from nine Arab countries.
| Country | Member Association / Institution | Representative |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Egypt Health Foundation | Dr Wael Safwat — Foundation President |
| Egypt | King Hussein Cancer Center (representation) | Tamam Al-Naimat — Advocacy Specialist, Cancer Control Office |
| Jordan | Jordanian National Society Against Smoking | Dr Bassam Hijjawi — Society President |
| Palestine | Palestinian Charitable Society for Combating Smoking | Majid Ismail Shyoukhi — Society President |
| Sudan | Kafa Health Awareness Organisation | Dr Ahmed Abdullah Al-Hassan — Organisation President |
| Kuwait | Founding Individual Members | Anwar Jassem Bourahma — Secretary-General, Gulf Federation for Tobacco Control |
| Jordan | Founding Individual Members | Dr Saif Al-Din Saleh — Consultant in Community Medicine |
| Iraq | Iraqi Anti-Tuberculosis Society | Dr Thamer Al-Halfi — Dean of Nursing, Madinat Al-Ilm |
| Yemen | Hadramout Foundation for Cancer Control | Prof. Waleed Abdullah Ahmed Al-Batati — Foundation President |
| Tunisia | Tunisian Alliance Against Smoking | Dr Zuhair Al-Suwaisi |
| Morocco | National Coalition for Combating Drugs and Smoking | Dr Al-Karoumi Abdelsalam |
A flexible network with scalable programmes
AUTC operates through annual conferences, regular meetings, webinars, awareness campaigns, training workshops and national and regional partnerships.
