UAE | Health

More people keen on stubbing out, doctor says

500 smokers pledge to ditch the habit as website gets 7,000 hits.

  • By Mahmood Saberi, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 23:05 May 31, 2009
  • Gulf News

Dubai: The anti-smoking campaign spearheaded by Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) has drummed up huge public interest, a doctor involved in the drive said.

With the campaign's website (www.notobaccocampaign.com) getting 7,000 hits in two weeks, people are keen on trying to give up the habit.

About 500 smokers have already pledged to join a 30-day Quit and Win programme and the DHCC will offer them support through education and counselling, Dr Aisha Abdullah, Senior Vice President at DHCC, said on Sunday.

The programme was launched two weeks ago by setting up health information stands in shopping malls and giving workshops and lectures in major organisations.

Indicators: Benefits of quitting

- One day to two weeks: Your breath smells better; food tastes better and no more yellow fingernails
- Two weeks to three months: Lung function improves; risk of heart attack decreases
- Up to nine months: Coughing and shortness of breath decreases
- A year after quitting: Risk of being affected by coronary heart disease is halved to that of smokers

Should the selling of cigarettes be banned? Do you think such a ban is possible?


Your comments


I also agree that selling cigarettes must be banned. Cigarettes are very dangereous but yet we find it everwhere
Karim Lamrani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 19:04

YES! I strongly support the ban.
Kiran Karkera
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 16:51

I started smoking 1st of May, I didnt know about this program of the government but I believe having smoked for more than a decade is just enough for me. I have at least 4 lapses last month and I keep on. There are so many temptations around me since most of my friends are smoking but I am doing my vbest to keep on to my promise of STOP SMOKING! So far, my body is just getting crazy reactions from good, including improve tasting buds and sense of smell to negative such as having flu-like symptoms in the morning. But all in all, I find it real good and fulfilling. My skin is starting to glow again, my lips red and my apetite is back! I support those who wants to quit as I am undergoing it at the moment! WE go for it and we can MAKE IT! By the way, I am encouraging my dad to stop smoking as well. He has been smoking for more than 40 years now!
Jerry Selayro
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 16:30

Why cigarettes cant be banned? If country can ban drugs and other things why cant they do the same to cigarettes. Why cant we raise signature campaign to ban cigarettes.
M. Mohammad Shafi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 14:44

In my opinion the selling of cigarettes should be banned, because the main victims of this habit are women and children. The awareness programmes can be conducted in schools, churches and in other public places. Thus we can build a smoke-free society.
Soumya John Joseph
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 12:41

Yes it is possible. Selling of cigarettes should be banned. I hope the new workshop of anti-smoking campaign will make more and more people aware about smoking.
Usha Kunju Pillai
Ajman,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 12:40

In my opinion, the best thing to help other people to stop smoking is to sell the cigarettes at the highest possible price. In this case, smokers will somehow think twice whether they will buy it at a higher cost specially now with the global financial crisis. So instead of smoking, they will just buy the things that they need. When this kind of action doesn't work, then this is the right time to ban selling cigarettes.
alvin
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 12:32

Hope u quit too :)
Amjad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 10:31

In my opinion, to ban the selling of cigarettes is a crucial thing.we have to have our own initiative to prevent people from harming themselves rather than others. however, that is not the case. banning could not be happened because of a lot of reasons . people who smoke might raise a strong objection to that issue. so, I'm realy hoping to smile a clear air. but it seems like taking a lot of time to do so.
Mohammad Nabeel
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 09:59

Personally I am completely in support of any kind of even hard hand draconian methodology to stamp out smoking as its a revolting habit and causes no benefit whatsoever. The hazards far outweight any benefits and any benefits if so are merely superficial and no different than the benefit one would get out of smoking cannabis or any other narcotic. It gets worse when one has to put up with the stench and then the after smoking residues when every smoker seems to have no problem with turning the whole world into a giant ashtray. There are a thousand ways to relieve tension and smoking is definitely not a good option - its just as good as putting a bullet to ones head albeit doesn't impact as quick. I'm in full favor of a total ban of cigarettes and that the also be included on the list of other life threatening drugs such as heroin, cannabis and opium.
Ali
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 09:44

yes, selling of cigarettes should be banned.
Indira
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 01, 2009, 07:35

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