Nizal Sarrafzadegan - ‎Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan ‎University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Katayoun Rabiei - ‎PhD Candidate, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan ‎University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Mousa Alavi - Assistant Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical ‎Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Roya Kelishadi - ‎Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan ‎University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Leila Manzouri - Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Heidarali Abedi - Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan Branch (Isfahan), Isfahan, Iran‎
Khadijeh Fereydoun-Mohaseli - ‎National Tobacco Control Secretariat, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Iran
Hasan Azaripour-Masooleh - ‎General Practitioner, Social Security Organization, Tehran, Iran
Hamidreza Roohafza - ‎Assistant Professor, ‎‎Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of ‎Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Gholamreza Heidari - Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical ‎Sciences, Tehran, Iran‎

Background: The epidemic of smoking is a great concern of health systems. Moreover, the number of smokers is increasing worldwide and this has led to an escalating trend of morbidity, mortality, and burden of smoking-related diseases. Therefore, monitoring the implementation of tobacco control laws in different countries is of extreme importance. This study aimed to describe policy makers’ experiences and perceptions of the facilitating factors of the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in Iran. Methods: This was a qualitative research in which data were collected through individual interviews. The participants included policy makers who were members of the national assembly for tobacco control. In this study, ۱۳ unstructured interviews of about ۴۵ to ۶۰ minutes duration were conducted in an extrapolative manner. The qualitative content analysis method was applied until extrapolation of basic themes was complete. Results: As a result of the analysis, the themes of performance through training, through research, through intersectoral collaboration, and through setting priorities emerged. The emerged themes connote some critical points that have key roles in promoting the effective implementation of the WHO FCTC. Furthermore, the main role of the health sector becomes predominant. Conclusion: The study findings suggested the managed and coordinated work as one of the main facilitating factors of the implementation of the WHO FCTC at a national level. 

Tobacco, Policy Makers, Qualitative, WHO, FCTC, Iran