H.E. Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari announced that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will have smoke-free stadiums and will be banning tobacco marketing as part of the efforts to promote health across the world and to communicate that sport and health go together.

Her Excellency stated that by using the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to promote healthy lifestyles, people around the world can be inspired to play football and other sports. The partners are committed to delivering campaigns to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity on health, as well as promoting the importance of following a healthy lifestyle through the adoption of healthy food choices during major sporting events. The benefits of these measures will help promote and protect the health of sports followers at future mega sporting events.

"Whether you are engaging in high-intensity workouts or even just simple regular activity, every effort counts towards a healthy body and a happy mind. To further promote healthy lives, we are underscoring the importance of nutrition by demonstrating the benefits of offering healthy food choices at mega sporting events," said HE Dr. Al Kuwari.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have partnered to drive forward efforts to help make this global celebration of football a beacon for health and safety, and a launchpad for sharing lessons with future mega sporting events. The partnership, which began last October, is supported by FIFA and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and is part of a drive to promote health globally through football.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, said that by focusing on physical activity, healthy diets and nutrition, tobacco control, mental health, and health security, the partnership strives to provide guidance on how to help improve the physical and mental health of all people globally through sports.

Under health promotion, the partnership is leveraging this year's FIFA World Cup to promote the health benefits of simple physical activity for all through sport by developing new tools to reach people of all ages, particularly youth. The partners have been busy developing guidance and science through technical engagements in order to communicate the importance of physical activity.

Since the partnership kicked off, MoPH and WHO have worked in close collaboration to promote physical health and well-being around several key milestones. These include promoting health and nutritional awareness during the Holy Month of Ramadan, engaging in the third edition of the "Walk the Talk: Health For All Challenge" in Geneva, and raising awareness of the harms caused by smoking on World No Tobacco Day.

Source: Ministry of Public Health
Cover image credit: Shutterstock

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Tracy Quirino

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