UAE plans to build more smoke cessation clinics

UAE plans to build more smoke cessation clinics across the country to help people quit smoking, Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health said on Tuesday. He told the media that the clinics had helped 400 smokers rid the habit in 2009 and another 400 last year. There are seven smoke cessation clinics across the emirates. The Minister said the UAE is the first in the region to provide such free services including in schools and universities. Dr Hassan said the UAE is committed to the international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). "As one of the member states that have ratified this agreement, we reassure this commitment of the GCC council in fighting tobacco," he said. The Minister earlier gave away tokens of appreciation to seven people who had quit smoking through the help of the smoke cessation clinics., as part of the celebrations to mark World No Tobacco Day. He said part of the efforts to control smoking is to raise the price of cigarettes and tobacco products, but that it is being worked out with other government departments. A senior executive in the tobacco control committee earlier said there was a move to increase the price of tobacco by 100 percent. The price of a pack of cigarettes costs about Dh 5 in the UAE, the cheapest in the region. The Minister appealed to the public to and the private sector to help in the government's efforts on tobacco control. Most petrol stations and leading retail outlets have put by signs saying that cigarettes will not be sold today From / Gulf News