Three-year drive against tobacco use launched

Health officials are chalking out strategies to curb tobacco use and teach children to say no to smoking.

Asma Ali Zain

Published: Fri 31 May 2013, 8:59 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 6:45 PM

The day before World No Tobacco Day, which is today, the Ministry of Health launched a three-year campaign that will empower youth, the most vulnerable section of the society, against the habit.

More smoke-free spaces needed

Local doctors are urging a continued push towards 100 per cent smoke-free environments.

“The UAE’s approach is enabling a higher number of people to quit smoking, which is a socially devastating activity,” said Dr Abdul Razzak Alkaddour, Consultant Cardiologist and Head of the Preventive Cardiology and Smoking Cessation Programme at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in the country’s capital.

“Stopping smoking not only halts, but also can reverse the biological damage caused by smoking. Stopping also improves treatment for diseases such as respiratory disease and lung cancer. After quitting, the smoking-related risk of heart disease mortality can be cut almost in half,” said Dr Abdulmajeed Al Zubaidi, Cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer at SKMC.

With over 4,000 chemical compounds, including 70 known or probable human carcinogens, eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke in public areas has become a major priority of stop-smoking campaigns worldwide.

Cessation camp at Aster

Aster Jubilee Medical Complex started a two-day smoking cessation campaign for the general public on Thursday.

The camp, which concludes today, includes a free Spirometry test, consultation by specialists, individual awareness and smoking cessation sessions, and an educational exhibition highlighting the impacts of the tobacco addiction.

Spirometry is a diagnostic breathing test for smokers to measure and manage their risk for different types of normal and chronic lung diseases like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma, caused by the tobacco addiction. The facility will also keep a box at the reception, asking visitors to drop their cigarette packs to get the free Spirometry and a consultation with a doctor.

The campaign presents Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Arts and Culture Authority, as the role model for the youth, according to a senior health official.

“He is young and is backing this campaign…he is an ideal role model for the youngsters,” said Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the National Tobacco Control Programme.

Titled ‘Too smart to start’, the campaign will teach children the types and dangers of tobacco use, how to resist peer pressure and how to understand the present media content with regard to tobacco use.

“Often companies target youngsters by telling them tobacco is safe…we want to tell children not to be fooled by these claims,” she adds.

According to the 2005 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), at least 35 per cent of the UAE youth under 10 years have tried smoking at least once. Results from another survey of 4,000 school pupils will be revealed by the yearend. In 2003, the number of male smokers in the country was 28.1 per cent and that of female smokers 2.4 per cent.

Bylaws that will reinforce the law are also expected to be in place by the yearend. Currently being debated by the Federal National Council, the bylaws will ensure that adults do not smoke within enclosed places (including cars) if children are present. Also, shops located near schools will strictly not be allowed to stock cigarettes. “Once the bylaw is passed, we will start the training process for implementation,” said Dr Wedad.

Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health, said the government is trying its best to protect the youth. “Our culture is such that smoking is perceived as ‘manhood’…and we are trying to break this perception by creating awareness.

He said the government spending had increased on treatment of diseases resulting from smoking such as lung cancer and other non-communicable diseases.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of smokers has already reached a billion and is expected to increase to 1.6 billion in another 20 years. More than six million people die annually of smoking of whom 600,000 die due to passive smoking.

An electronic pledge using a thumb print to quit smoking was also launched on the occasion. — asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

Seha to hold activities in malls to help smokers quit the habit

Lectures about the harmful effects of smoking, especially in public places such as malls, will be the focus of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company’s (Seha) activities in observation of World No Tobacco Day today.

This year’s theme, ‘Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship’, will see health professionals highlight the dangers of smoking, the health risks associated with tobacco use, as well as, advocating the development of effective policies to reduce its consumption.

Seha called for “co-operation between all segments of society to reduce this dangerous habit, and enactment of laws and regulations that criminalise the bodies that promote and advertise tobacco”.

To mark the occasion, Seha and its health facilities will organise activities in shopping malls across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.

In Al Ain, Seha opened an anti-smoking clinic in Al Jaheli Health Centre to assist people to quit smoking.

It also launched a ‘Stop Smoking’ campaign on Twitter @SEHAHealth, with the intention of raising health awareness among the public, educating them about the harms caused by smoking, and urging them to follow some strategies that encourage them to quit smoking.

The WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) requires all parties to the treaty to enforce a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

Evidence has shown that comprehensive advertising bans lead to reductions in people starting and continuing smoking. Statistics also showed that banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce tobacco demand.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com