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Call toll-free for help
 to stub the butt

The Dubai Health Authority’s Tobacco-Free Dubai Project has launched a smoking-cessation helpline.

The 24-hour toll-free number 800-123-QUIT (7848) will guide smokers on how best they can quit smoking.

It will also help them look for the nearest quit-smoking clinic and also give advice on the best medication.

The helpline was launched at The Dubai Mall on June 8 to coincide with the World No Tobacco Day. Dr Ahmed bin Kalban, CEO of Primary Healthcare Services sector at the DHA, launched the service and indicated that it is a unique service in that it offers a good opportunity for smokers to communicate via telephone enquiries on ways to quit smoking and services available in the smoking-cessation clinic.

At least 20 per cent of those visiting the Al Twar clinic since its opening two years ago have given up smoking, said Dr Hanan Obaid, Tobacco-Free Dubai Project leader and the Acting Director of the Health Affairs Department, PHCs.

She said, “We want to combat the scourge of smoking through the activation of the service access for smokers and, at the same time, giving smokers a good opportunity to get to queries that help them maintain their privacy.”

Dr Ramez Sawiris, Director of Regulatory Department, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical that has partnered with the DHA to offer the services, said the initiative was the result of cooperation.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com