'I used to finish 2 cigarette boxes every day': Ex-smokers in UAE share inspiring stories of quitting the addiction

Fayez Abu Taha, a 45-year-old Jordanian expat in the UAE, smoked 20 to 25 cigarettes every day for the past 20 years. Last month, he kicked the habit cold turkey — and he's never looking back.

To Fayez, it was a victory. "I feel much better now ... My perspective towards life has changed.”

In observance of World No Tobacco Day, medical professionals worldwide are rallying behind the cause, and in the UAE, former smokers are adding their voices to urge smokers to consider quitting. This year's theme, "Grow Food, Not Tobacco," emphasises the need for governments to support farmers in cultivating sustainable crops instead of tobacco, improving food security and nutrition.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco-related deaths exceed eight million annually, with seven million directly linked to tobacco use and 1.2 million attributed to secondhand smoke. These alarming statistics highlight the urgency of addressing smoking addiction.

Fayez said he started smoking with friends in college and it later became part of his daily life. "Every hour or half an hour, during coffee or tea break, I would go out and smoke. It was my friend, especially at night."

Health issues kicked in

Two months ago, however, some chest pain and nonstop cough served as a wake-up call.

"I rushed to the doctor at Burjeel hospital. The first thing he told me was to stop smoking immediately. I was hospitalised and obviously, I was not allowed to smoke there whether inside or outside. Initially, I felt that itch to smoke but because I was not allowed, I had to stop. There was no option. Now it’s been a month and I have stopped completely.”

It was the "best decision ever", he said. “I feel much better now, I can sleep better now. Earlier, I used to fall asleep only at 2.30am or 3am. Now the moment I hit the bed I can sleep. I also sleep at a stretch without interruption and my chest feels lighter. Now I go to the gym and pay a lot of attention to my health and wellbeing."

Former smokers admit that quitting can be challenging, but with determination and the right strategies, breaking free from this harmful habit is possible.

“Try to stop smoking gradually. Reduce from 20 to 10 cigarettes, from 10 to eight cigarettes. Reduce step by step one would automatically start feeling better," they advised.

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'I no longer sit near smokers'

Common triggers for smokers include stress, social situations, and specific routines.

Mohammed Mahfouz, a Pakistani national working as machine operator in a UAE-based company, used "to finish two boxes of cigarettes every day". However, a year ago, recurring sickness prompted him to re-evaluate his smoking addiction.

“I used to feel stressed sometimes due to various reasons. I started smoking 10 to15 cigarettes one year ago. But a year back, I started falling sick frequently. I used to get fever and cough, throat pain, and my eyes would start watering," he said.

The damage smoking caused to his body became apparent, leading Mohammed to make the decision to quit.