People from different walks of life smoke cigarettes regardless of their age, sex, social status or any other considerations. In recent years, Westerners have waged an all-out war on smoking, as numerous studies have proven that smoking cigarettes is dangerous to the health.

Following major scientific studies in different parts of the world in recent years, people started quitting smoking and smokers were banned from public places. In fact, a social revolution with the aim of rooting out smoking took place in the West, and they succeeded to a great extent.

In the 1990's, Western tobacco companies launched new propaganda campaigns to encourage people to smoke their cigarette brands, especially targeting young people. These campaigns failed. It was actually a great setback for tobacco companies.

Now, the same multinational companies have turned their attention to the lucrative markets of underdeveloped and developing countries following the steep decline in smoking in Western societies an outstanding achievement for the people and a disadvantage for the tobacco companies.

In Iran the case is quite different. The number of people smoking has actually increased since the early 1990's. Some people say they smoke because they are deprived of many privileges and entertainments. But these remarks seem to be a justification to escape from the current realities of our Islamic society.

After oil revenues, arms sales and money derived from illicit drug trafficking, the tobacco industry usually gains considerable income from selling cigarettes.

At the same time, cigarette industries are a major source of income for governments and that's why they do not desire to lose such lucrative markets. Public education is a major factor in encouraging people not to smoke. The educated people of the society and the mass media are responsible for providing this information.

Recent news reports quoted the Iranian Tobacco Company as saying that, based on agreements reached with some foreign companies, Iran will start producing different foreign brands of cigarettes as of next year in Qeshm Free Trade Zone.

Addressing a press conference, the Managing Director of the Iranian Tobacco Company, Abbas Khajeh Piri, said that some foreign brands of cigarettes will be produced in Iran through utilization of domestic production capabilities. He added that the decision was aimed at discouraging the smuggling of cigarettes into the country.

During the last decade, most Third World governments have been encouraging their people not to smoke cigarettes. But they have not taken practical steps to address this problem. People honestly say if smoking is so dangerous, then why do they not close down the cigarette producing companies? This is because governments earn billions from this industry! In their anti-smoking campaign in recent years, the Iranian mass media have impressively dealt with various aspects of the cigarette smoking habit.

On the one hand, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) depicts horrible images of the results of smoking, and on the other hand it does not even criticize those promoting the tobacco industry, which is threatening the foundation of the society.

This double standard of IRIB and some other mass media is surprising. Whenever they confront such sensitive issues they prefer to remain silent. Since this is a major national problem, IRIB should tell the truth and not just broadcast programs discouraging smoking. People have the right to know why IRIB and other mass media do not discuss openly all aspects, including the economic aspects, of this highly significant matter.

Millions of Iranians smoke cigarettes and IRIB and other governmental organizations understand well that producing more and more cigarettes brings about huge profits for the government. IRIB should criticize the relevant officials and encourage them to ban the production of foreign and domestic brands of cigarettes. People expect the relevant officials to take serious measures to deal with the problem, as it deserves due attention.