Dubai: The Gulf News Stub It! campaign to help people quit smoking has kicked off with five readers signing up in the initial phase. Five more will sign up in the course of the programme.
These five readers are presently being offered medical help and undergoing counselling to quit the habit and lead a healthier lifestyle in association with the DM Healthcare Group, Gulf News' campaign partner.
The Group has offered free health insurance worth Dh100,000 for a year to the readers.
Gulf News will be following the five readers over the next six months to a year and detail their efforts to lead a smoke-free life.
"Smoking not only affects you but affects the society around you," said Dr Sreekumar Sreedharan, specialist physician at Aster Clinic, who has counselled the readers.
He added that most people cannot give up the addiction themselves and need professional help.
Dr Sanjiv Malek, executive director of the Group, noted that 600,000 non-smokers die every year just by inhaling second-hand smoke.
He said one would need about six to eight months to kick the habit, but warned that there is usually a relapse and smokers need the support of friends and family members to overcome the initial hurdles.