UAE to mark World No Tobacco Day

Private and Public health institutions in the UAE will participate on Tuesday in marking ‘World No Tobacco Day' under the banner of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The day intends to highlight the dangers of smoking, as well as urging the introduction of effective policies that curb the use of tobacco. It is worth noting that both Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) are part of the FCTC. HAAD has also launched the Quit and Win initiative, in which 125 smokers from all around the UAE will be chosen, with the aim of helping them quit by using nicotine patches and gum. Meanwhile, Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) will also participate in the Global No Smoking Day by stopping the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in its various stores. It will also launch an awareness campaign in its service stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Dr. Rahma Bin Mohammad Al Shamsi, Retail Sales Manager at Emarat, said Emarat's participation in this campaign comes within the framework of its commitment to fight smoking which is considered one of the most dangerous blights of our times. "Scientific studies showed that smoking kills four million people in the world annually. Moreover, its dangers do not affect only the smoker, but also his surrounding environment and the community in which he lives, which renders smoking an unhealthy and uncivilized behavior," she said. Emarat, through its participation in this anti smoking movement, called for taking measures against smoking and fighting it with all the possible means until it is completely removed from our society. Emarat also called for helping smokers quit. The Corporation launched its campaign in all its service stations with the aims to raise health awareness within the community regarding the dangers and negative effects of smoking on life, health, and the environment.