On May 30, 2008 the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the World No Tobacco Day to highlight the dangers of cigarettes and their effects on younger generations. The WHO also revealed shocking statistics, such as tobacco kills 50 per cent of its users and of the 1.3 billion smokers alive today, 650 million of them will be killed by tobacco, half or 325 million will most likely be between the ages of 35 and 69. What do you think could be done to further spread awareness about the consequences of smoking?
A nationwide smoking ban would force more people to quit.
When smokers don't find a place to smoke at their convenience, then they will have to control the urge to smoke. This might make them develop the willpower needed to quit. I know many smokers who want to quit but are controlled by their addiction. Also, nonsmokers will be spared from having to inhale second hand smoke.
– Sujata Sardana
Abu Dhabi
People in the UAE are used to smoking indoors in places like malls. So if there were a ban on smoking in all public places then smokers would either quit because it's too hot to stand outside and smoke or find alternative ways to smoke. Some might not smoke during the day but then make it up at night when they go home.
– Bassam Al Atrash
Abu Dhabi
In some Muslim countries, smoking has been banned because religion states that a person shouldn't do anything to intentionally hurt their body. Here the idea of a smoke ban is new so it will take some time before it's accepted. But I don't think a ban would force people to quit — that's up to the smoker.
– Sonia A.
Abu Dhabi
It would make them quit because they can't smoke anymore. Because of that smokers would be forced to find something else to pass the time. Also, before whenever they were stressed, smokers would usually turn to cigarettes to calm down. Now they would have to find another way to deal with stress, like doing activities such as sports.
– Ardavan Rounagh
Dubai
Smoking impacts productivity in the workplace.
Some people are able to control their habit while they're working so it doesn't impact the quality of their work. But some don't, so they might take a lot of breaks to satisfy their cravings. When people are stressed they try to find a way to release their tension. Some might use cigarettes to do that and others might turn to other things.
– Wong Sutyee
Abu Dhabi
When I feel the urge to smoke a cigarette, I can't stop thinking about it. I work as part of the cabin crew of an airline so when I'm on long flights I sometimes think about smoking but it does not affect my work. I'm more of a social smoker than a heavy smoker.
– Rania Abdul Noor
Abu Dhabi
Smoking has a big impact on a person's health and how much they can contribute to the workplace. If a person works in a labour-intensive job, then that would affect production because they wouldn't be able to contribute as much as non-smokers. And if a person works in an office, the quality of their work would decrease.
– Mahmoud Zayat
Dubai
If a person can control their habit and find a balance between work and smoking then there shouldn't be a problem. I recently quit smoking but when I was working it didn't have an impact on my work. Smoking is usually part of a routine, such as lighting up while driving or having coffee. But if you change your routine, then you break the habit.
– Laura Kemp
Dubai
A ban just increases consumption as smokers try to compensate by smoking more cigarettes each time.
Most people would try to smoke as much as they can before the ban starts. It's human nature to consume more of something if you know that you can't have anymore. But even though they might start smoking more, once the ban comes into effect they might cut down or quit because it isn't available as easily as before.
– Paul McNeill
Dubai
I don't think that smokers would increase the number of cigarettes they smoke just because they are going to be banned. But young people might start smoking because it's become something forbidden and so they would want to try it. But if it were a ban on smoking in public places, then people would simply stand outside or find other ways to smoke.
– Nicola Danby
South Africa
Smoking in public places has been banned in Scotland for some time now and things haven't really changed. At first people tried to compensate and complained about it but they then got over it. At first it was hard but then people started going back to what they were doing — just without smoking a cigarette. Life goes on so people find different ways to replace cigarettes.
– Jill Gordon
Dubai
Some smokers might increase their intake because cigarettes are going to be banned. But I don't think people would start smoking because of that — I wouldn't. If it's just a ban in public places then smokers can find other places to smoke, such as at home or in a private area. Also, it wouldn't really affect society as a whole because smokers would eventually replace cigarettes with something else.
– Phil Starr
Dubai
Tobacco companies should be made to set up clinics that help people quit smoking.
They are the ones who are producing cigarettes so they should be held accountable. If they do that then they are also giving back to the community because cigarettes are deadly and many are addicted to them. The companies should find a way to make up for all the deaths and diseases that their products are creating.
– Grenda Mamawan
Abu Dhabi
The companies shouldn't be forced to open clinics. But the government should create stricter laws about cigarettes because if they do, then people might not smoke as much. I work in a gas station and I see many people who ignore the safety signs and smoke. The government should have more awareness campaigns about smoking instead of just making cigarette companies open clinics.
– Indra Lal Shrestha
Abu Dhabi
I don't think that the companies should be forced to open clinics because it would send mixed messages to the public. Instead the government should have more awareness campaigns about smoking and its dangers. If people were informed about things like the diseases that cigarettes cause, such as lung cancer, then the number of people who smoke might decrease.
– Deniece Wheeler
Dubai
Tobacco companies should open clinics. It would be a win-win situation for the companies and the government. The government would have found a way to ensure that people suffering from illnesses related to smoking can be treated and the tobacco companies would be able to show that they care about the community.
– Mustafa Rashid Al Deen
Dubai
