Ras Al Khaimah gets tough with smokers

Ras Al Khaimah: An anti-smoking programme in Ras Al Khaimah will target schoolchildren directly, starting from the beginning of the new academic year.

The emirate's Medical District will open an anti-smoking centre in a secondary school to help students in the secondary and preparatory stages quit. More anti-smoking centres will be opened later.

The Medical District announced the number of student smokers has been steadily rising. At least 14 per cent of students from the secondary and preparatory stages in Ras Al Khaimah are smokers.

An official said well-designed rehabilitation programmes will be offered at the new school centre.

School managements have tried to deal with the smoking problem, but without success.

The official said neither school managements nor parents had been able to stop smoking in the risk group consisting of 12- to 18-year-olds.

He said the emirate has now decided to take a stand against smoking.

Only three per cent of smokers who showed up at the emirate's anti-smoking centre were women, because women often smoke secretly for social reasons.