Latest news with #QualityOfLifeProgram
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
"TNFS": A Saudi-Led Initiative Sets Regional Benchmark in Tobacco Harm Reduction
On World No Tobacco Day RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the world marks World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms its deep-rooted commitment to public health through the TNFS initiative — an inaugural platform developed in partnership with national and strategic stakeholders to reduce tobacco-related harm by advancing evidence-based dialogue, responsible innovation, and smart regulation. The initiative was founded through a strategic collaboration between Badael (a Public Investment Fund company), the Quality-of-Life Program (a Vision 2030 initiative), and Smart Health, which serves as the initiative's scientific partner. Over the past year, tangible results have begun to emerge in the Kingdom: Data from the General Authority for Statistics shows smoking prevalence in Saudi Arabia declined from 17.5% to 12.4% in just 12 months — one of the world's fastest drops. Badael's efforts have helped approximately 500,000 adults transition away from smoking through access to lower-risk alternatives. Coordinated awareness campaigns and regulatory realignment have laid the groundwork for more sustainable, prevention-focused approaches. On May 29, the TNFS initiative hosted the "TNFS 2025 Summit" in Riyadh, bringing together more than 100 experts from 15 countries. The summit focused on regional challenges and scientific solutions for reducing tobacco-related harm, concluding with several key recommendations, including: Developing legislative frameworks to support alternative products Strengthening research collaboration across the region Referencing successful models from Sweden and the United Kingdom to inform locally tailored solutions. Looking ahead, TNFS will begin translating the summit's recommendations into actionable programs, in close collaboration with health and regulatory authorities. According to Tolga Sezer, CEO of Badael, upcoming plans include public awareness campaigns, research initiatives, and efforts to strengthen legislative frameworks that support low-risk tobacco alternatives. The summit featured numerous international endorsements affirming that the Kingdom is on the right path, including: • Dr. Christopher Russell (United Kingdom): "The Kingdom is leading a global transformation in understanding and addressing tobacco harm." Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos (Greece): "What has been achieved in just one year through TNFS represents a model ready for export." Dr. Mohammad Yaman, a public health expert, called for TNFS to become a regional reference point. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Qudhib emphasized the importance of replicating the Saudi model in countries with high smoking rates, such as Jordan and Lebanon. TNFS is positioned by its strategic partners as a comprehensive reform platform — designed to engage communities, decision-makers, and the health sector in building a sustainable public health environment aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. "Health is not a choice but a foundation for a dignified life and a productive society." said Salman Al-Khataf, Advisor to the CEO of the Quality-of-Life Program, affirming that that success in tobacco harm reduction depends on connecting scientific evidence with practical, applicable policies, a core aim of the TNFS partnership. Dr. Sara Al-Rashoud, Research Advisor at Smart Health, emphasized that the TNFS initiative reflects a shared commitment across sectors to reducing smoking and achieving a smoke-free Saudi Arabia. As World No Tobacco Day amplifies the global call for accountability, TNFS stands as a practical framework: one built on data, shaped by partnerships, and grounded in local realities. The initiative will translate summit outcomes into collaborative action, from legislative refinement to educational outreach and continued investment in public health. Photo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TNFS Erreur lors de la récupération des données Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille Erreur lors de la récupération des données Erreur lors de la récupération des données Erreur lors de la récupération des données Erreur lors de la récupération des données
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
TNFS 2025: Saudi Arabia to host region's first summit on smoking reduction
In a significant move that signals a shift in how the region tackles public health challenges, Riyadh is set to host the TNFS Summit 2025 — the first high-level regional summit focused on reducing smoking prevalence and addressing tobacco-related harm. This event will bring together organizations, health leaders, and policymakers from the region and around the globe. The summit will take place on May 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel — Kingdom Centre, coinciding with 'World No Tobacco Day.' It is supported by strategic partners, including the Quality-of-Life Program (Part of one of the realization programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030), Badael Company, and Smart Health as the scientific partner. The TNFS Summit will serve as a multilateral platform to encourage regional and international collaboration in tackling one of the most pressing public health challenges in the Arab world. The summit is expected to culminate in the adoption of a regional charter for tobacco harm reduction and the signing of strategic cooperation agreements among participating entities, aimed at strengthening public health systems and enhancing regional regulatory frameworks. TNFS Summit 2025 invites policymakers, public health experts, and civil society to unite around a shared vision: a healthier Middle East with lower tobacco dependence. This summit marks a clear commitment to science-based, prevention-first policies built on regional and international partnerships. More than 100 local and international experts from leading institutions — including specialists from the UK, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia — will participate in the summit. They will discuss the latest research, exchange insights, and explore scalable, evidence-based policy solutions. The agenda will focus on key strategic themes, including: Badael Company, the summit's strategic partner, stated that TNFS 2025 addresses an urgent regional need for data-driven dialogue and multilateral coordination to reflect the scale of tobacco-related harm in our societies. The summit is envisioned as a launchpad for the region's healthier and more sustainable future.
Zawya
4 days ago
- General
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia to host the first regional summit on harm reduction under the TNFS 2025 initiative
Riyadh: In a significant move that signals a shift in how the region tackles public health challenges, Riyadh is set to host the TNFS Summit 2025—the first high-level regional summit focused on reducing smoking prevalence and addressing tobacco-related harm. This event will bring together organizations, health leaders, and policymakers from the region and around the globe. The summit will occur on May 29, 2025, at the Four Seasons Hotel – Kingdom Center, coinciding with "World No Tobacco Day." It is supported by strategic partners, including the Quality-of-Life Program (Part of one of the realization programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030), Badael Company, and Smart Health as the scientific partner. The TNFS Summit will serve as a multilateral platform to encourage regional and international collaboration in tackling one of the most pressing public health challenges in the Arab world. The summit is expected to culminate in the adoption of a regional charter for tobacco harm reduction and the signing of strategic cooperation agreements among participating entities, aimed at strengthening public health systems and enhancing regional regulatory frameworks. TNFS Summit 2025 invites policymakers, public health experts, and civil society to unite around a shared vision: a healthier Middle East with lower tobacco dependence. This summit marks a clear commitment to science-based, prevention-first policies built on regional and international partnerships. More than 100 local and international experts from leading institutions including specialists from the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia will participate in the summit. They will discuss the latest research, exchange insights, and explore scalable, evidence-based policy solutions. The agenda will focus on key strategic themes, including: Correcting public misconceptions about nicotine and tobacco harm reduction products Designing preventive policies grounded in scientific evidence Showcasing successful international regulatory frameworks that can be adapted to regional contexts Mobilizing community awareness and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors Badael Company, the summit's strategic partner, stated that TNFS 2025 addresses an urgent regional need for data-driven dialogue and multilateral coordination to reflect the scale of tobacco-related harm in our societies. The summit is envisioned as a launchpad for the region's healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future. For more information or media inquiries, please contact the Summit's Media Coordinator: Dr. Rania Al-Qarawi Email: rania@ Mobile: +966 56 341 3928
Arab News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
GEA launches 4th cohort of ‘Entertainment Leaders' program
The General Entertainment Authority has launched the fourth cohort of the 'Entertainment Leaders' program, part of the 'Happiness Creators' initiative. The program empowers national talent and develops leadership in the entertainment sector, with support from the Quality of Life Program — one of the Vision 2030 realization programs. This year's edition includes the participation of 33 leaders — both men and women — who hold senior positions in the sector and represent a select group of influential national talents. The program runs for five months and is designed with a flexible format that does not require full-time commitment, enabling participants to enhance their leadership skills without disrupting their professional responsibilities. The program features a wide range of training and development activities, including specialized workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions, and international field visits to explore global best practices in the entertainment industry. Participants will also have access to a comprehensive digital library throughout the program duration. This initiative comes as part of GEA's ongoing efforts to empower future leaders in the entertainment sector and enhance leadership and management capabilities to support the development of a sustainable and competitive entertainment industry at both the regional and global levels. The program — one of the initiatives under the 'Happiness Creators' — was launched by the GEA in 2021 as part of its human capital development initiatives. It trains and develops national talents working in the entertainment sector, contributing to sustainable capacity-building that supports the sector's growth and advancement in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Arab News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Ministry of Media launches ninth ‘Media Oasis,' coinciding with Trump visit
Riyadh: The ninth Media Oasis, a flagship initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Media, began in Riyadh on Tuesday, coinciding with the visit to the Kingdom by US President Donald Trump. The two-day event at Riyadh's Green Halls venue is showcasing new media technologies and includes a number of multi-zoned exhibitions within a 2,000-square-meter space, organizers said. It also aims to provide a dynamic platform supporting extensive coverage of Trump's visit, and highlight Saudi Arabia's rapidly evolving global image, they added. More than 2,500 local and international journalists and other media professionals were expected to attend, making it one of the largest media-related gatherings in the region. It is held in collaboration with the Quality of Life Program, one of the key pillars of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 plan for national development and economic diversification. The event features an 'Oasis Valley' zone set up to provide live coverage of the US president's visit. Another prominent feature is the 'Oasis Exhibition' zone, which offers in-depth information and insights about the transformative initiatives launched under Vision 2030. There is also a focus on ongoing collaborative projects between the Kingdom and the US in sectors such as infrastructure and tourism. A dedicated exhibition marking 90 years of Saudi-American diplomatic relations traces the shared history of the two nations, highlighting pivotal moments in the relationship and shedding light on the cultural, political and economic foundations that have helped shape decades of cooperation. In addition, four advanced studios have been created on-site to allow local and international TV networks to provide uninterrupted, professional-grade reporting. Government agencies and other key Vision 2030 stakeholders actively involved in the event include the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, the NEOM megacity project, New Murabba Development Company, Qiddiya Investment Company, and the official team behind Saudi Arabia's successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
