Table 3 Participants’ views on existing opportunities

Strong political will

International/EMRO region

Encouragement of countries by the UN and WHO to commit to reducing NCDs and to help developing countries’ tools and policies

Creating synergies and aligning the efforts of countries through policies adopted in the international arena and providing advocacy as well as agenda-setting for those policies

Holding advocacy meetings for WHO representatives, the Speaker of the Parliament and the Chairman of the Parliament’s Medical Commission

Selection of Iranian EMRO consultants in the area of NCDs

National

Commitment of the President, and signing of the National Document on Prevention and Control of NCDs

Existence of an international convention that is sanctioned by the government: the ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and related regulations as well as the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products

Creating smoke-free cities, starting with Qom, and using its religious capacity in health diplomacy

Privatization of the Iranian Tobacco Company

Utilizing the capacity of NGOs

Using popular figures such as actors and artists in NCD-related campaigns

Allocation of 2% of tobacco taxes to NGOs through legislation

Taking initiative in creating an NCD network by an NGO

Intersectoral collaboration

Collaboration of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Alignment of goals of the activities of healthcare and sports sectors with NCD prevention and control

Correspondence with the Ministry of Culture regarding banning of tobacco displays in media

Compliance with standards by the owners of certain industries to gain a competitive advantage in the global market

A well-developed health system

An advanced health system; a well-developed cascade health system (strong health network)

The Secretariat for the Health and Food Security Council being located in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education

The use of a model for intersectoral collaboration and evidence-based public participation in the Health and Food Security Council

Pursuit of intersectoral collaboration for the implementation of the National Document for Prevention and Control of NCDs by the Health and Food Security Council through agreements with executive bodies and via the health secretariats located in these bodies

Secretariat of the Provincial and City Health Council

Annual approval of the list of unhealthy commodities by the Health Council and the prohibition of advertising them