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New anti-smoking campaign planned

ABU DHABI — The Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD) is all set to launch a new anti-smoking public awareness campaign.

Starting May 31, to coincide with the ‘World No Tobacco Day’, the campaign will highlight the health hazards associated with smoking with the aim of encouraging a 100 per cent smoke-free environment. The two-week campaign will target newspapers, magazines, radio, Internet, cinema and outdoor posters.

“Educating people to take preventive measures can reduce the incidence of cancer and other serious diseases,” said Dr Ahmed Al Mazrouei, Chairman of HA-AD.

Dr Ahmed praised the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Gen. Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for their inspired support to the Authority’s health awareness campaigns.

Recent studies conducted by the World Health Organisation have shown that smoking rates have risen to an alarming level in the UAE, As per the studies, 24.3 per cent of males in the age group of 13-15 are currently smoking tobacco products while as many as 42 per cent of the males develop smoking habits by the time they are 17.

Of the total adult male population in the country, 20 per cent are smokers. Adult female smokers constitute some 2.9 per cent.

Eng. Zaid Al Siksek, Director of Health Policy and Regulation at the Authority told reporters in the capital yesterday that the drive would be followed by many other similar initiatives to fight smoking.

“We’ll be using different methods to help spread our message. We want to reach the largest number of people possible, both smokers or non-smokers. In our campaigns, we’ll be stressing on the massive dangers associated with smoking.”

Dr Oliver Harrison, Head of Public Health at HAAD, said: “Recent studies have revealed that the number of smokers in the UAE is rising at an alarming rate. Through this campaign, we want to educate the public about the health risks associated with smoking. Parents should set an example for their children.”

The other focus of the campaign will be to promote smoke-free environments (SFEs), he said.