Organized as part of Doha Festival City's #FestivalCares CSR program, the campaign aims to encourage quiting smoking and raise awareness on the negative impacts of tobacco cultivation. 

Doha, Qatar – 1 June, 2023 – Doha Festival City, Qatar’s ultimate destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, having revamped its brand positioning “It’s my Place, my Choice”, has joined forces with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to launch a 4 days awareness campaign on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day. 

Observed annually on May 31st, World No Tobacco Day serves as a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use.

Held from May 31st to June 3rd, The campaign aims to educate the community about the harmful effects of tobacco and promote a smoke-free lifestyle, through an awareness booth open from 2 PM to 10 PM at the Atrium Node for visitors to learn more about the impacts of tobacco use and its cultivation. 

The booth labeled “We need Food, not Tobacco” will be staffed by knowledgeable representatives who will help answer visitors’ question about smoking and provide support to those willing to quit, while also raising awareness about the detrimental impact of tobacco growing on food insecurity and malnutrition. 

Tobacco cultivation occupies significant amounts of arable land, diverting resources from the 
cultivation of essential and nourishing crops. This exacerbates issues of food security and malnutrition, particularly in low and middle-income nations. 

Commenting on the World No Tobacco Day awareness campaign, Robert Hall, General Manager of Doha Festival City, said: ' At Doha Festival City, we take our commitment to promoting health and well-being 
seriously. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Hamad Medical Corporation for their 
continued collaboration and support. Together, we aim to raise awareness about the harmful impact of tobacco and empower individuals to make informed choices for a smoke-free and more sustainable future.'

Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla, Director of HMC’s Tobacco Control Center thanked Doha Festival City for its efforts in supporting the reduction of tobacco use in the community. “Quitting smoking improves blood circulation and glucose levels which regulates insulin, especially in diabetic patients, and reduces bad cholesterol as well as prevents many ailments and conditions. Tobacco contains around 70 harmful chemicals that cause cancer and this is why we advise smokers to seriously consider giving this habit up and we appreciate major organizations supporting our efforts,” he said. 

Doha Festival City and HMC have a proven history of successful collaborations, focusing on promoting important health issues to our visitors. The ongoing partnership has  recently achieved great success with the joint flu vaccination campaign, effectively raising awareness and encouraging vaccination among visitors. Additionally, in March, Doha Festival City hosted an interactive booth in celebration of World Kidney Day 2023, where it engaged a substantial number of visitors through educational activities and informative displays. Furthermore, the mall conducted a mental health awareness 
campaign in April, emphasizing the significance of mental well-being. These initiatives highlight Doha Festival City’s commitment to prioritizing health and well-being within its community.