The Moroccan government is stepping up its smoking prevention efforts, establishing a national committee to coordinate education and stop-smoking programs. On March 4, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency became the first non-governmental organization to participate in the first Inter-Ministerial Committee Against Tobacco in Morocco.

This national committee is composed of representatives from the government ministries of youth and sports, education, agriculture, finance, religious affairs, and environment. In addition to exchanging information about the impact of tobacco addiction, the group is coordinating plans to fight the effects of tobacco.

When asked about ADRA’s presence on the national committee, the Moroccan health minister cited ADRA’s established track record of stop-smoking programs and health education efforts. During 2001, ADRA Morocco helped 750 people learn about the negative effects of smoking, and it anticipates working with 2,000 more this year. In February, the ADRA Morocco Five-day Plan to Stop Smoking program was featured several times both on television and national radio. A special week-long tobacco education initiative is planned for April, and a Five-day Plan to Stop Smoking program is scheduled for June. ADRA representatives will participate in the national committee meeting on April 25.

Organized in 1990, ADRA Morocco has completed a number of projects in addition to its well-known tobacco education programs, including micro-enterprise training, clean-water wells, distribution of educational supplies, materials for homes that care for orphans, and construction of clinics.