Smoking kills 8 million yearly: UAE ramps up awareness campaigns

Dubia: May 31 is observed as World No Tobacco Day, a worldwide campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco. In the UAE, officials are ramping up anti-smoking initiatives, particularly targeting the youth.

UAE launches national awareness drive

In line with the global initiative, Abu Dhabi’s National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) launched a wide-reaching media campaign focused on prevention and public education. CEO Yousef Al Dhiyeb Al Ketbi emphasised the Centre's efforts to build a smoke-free culture through school programs, workshops, and smoking cessation clinics.

He warned that e-cigarettes are falsely marketed as safer alternatives, though research links them to serious respiratory and heart conditions. “All forms of smoking endanger public health and increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease,” he added.

Vaping not a safe alternative: Expert

Dr. Favas Thaivalappil, Consultant Pulmonologist at Mubadala Health Dubai, cautioned that vaping is an “alarming trend,” particularly among youth. Though perceived as safer, e-cigarettes still release harmful chemicals that can damage the lungs and heart.

He also debunked the myth that medwakh and shisha are less harmful. A single medwakh session equals smoking three cigarettes, and an hour of shisha exposes users to the same toxins as 100 cigarettes.

Start healing within 20 minutes of quitting

Health experts stress that the body begins to heal just 20 minutes after quitting. Within weeks, blood pressure drops, lung function improves, and breathing becomes easier. Over time, quitting drastically lowers the risk of chronic bronchitis, COPD, and cancers.

12-week quit programs available

Mubadala Health Dubai offers a 12-week smoking cessation program with counseling, medication, and behavioral support. Techniques like the “4Ds” (Distract, Delay, Deep breathing, Drink water) and lifestyle changes—such as exercise and avoiding triggers—can improve quit rates.

“Write down your reasons to quit and revisit them daily,” advised Dr. Favas. “Cravings usually pass within 10 minutes—plan for them.”

Smoking in low-income countries a major concern

About 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion smokers live in low- and middle-income countries, where the impact of tobacco-related diseases is especially severe. Stronger public health efforts are needed to reverse this trend.