ERBIL — The Iraqi Ministry of Health has released alarming statistics on smoking among Iraqis, revealing that one person dies every 10 minutes due to smoking-related causes.

Wasim Keelan, deputy director of tobacco control at the Ministry of Health, stated that 20 percent of the country's population smokes, predominantly men, and many smoke various tobacco products, with about 50 percent smoking poor-quality substitutes.

He disclosed that Iraqi smokers collectively spend 6 billion Dinars daily on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Keelan emphasized the presence of toxic substances in conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vapes. While implementing tobacco control laws poses challenges.

In 2012, the Iraqi Parliament passed an anti-smoking law, primarily to safeguard public health and reduce smoking rates by enforcing anti-smoking regulations.

The law prohibits smoking in various indoor areas, including government buildings, hospitals, airports, and both public and private companies.

The media would be banned from advertising cigarettes, and organizations that violate the ban would be fined up to 5 million Dinars.

The same fine would be levied against those who import, produce or sell tobacco products that have more than a specified amount of nicotine.

Those who smuggle tobacco into the country would face fines up to 10 million Dinars.