UAE Ministry of Health observes “World No Tobacco Day” and encourages smokers to quit
Photo used for illustrative purposes.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has joined in the global celebration of World No Tobacco Day, under the slogan “Tobacco. Threat to our environment”, reiterating its commitment to educate and warn the public of the health consequences of the consumption of tobacco products. , including e-cigarettes, and raise awareness of the economic development burdens they place on governments and societies.
Electronic cigarettes are prohibited in offices and enclosed spaces throughout the United Arab Emirates and are subject to the Federal Tobacco Control Law No. 15 of 2009, which prohibits and penalizes them, and its implementing regulations.
The ministry said it has launched many awareness campaigns to educate the public about the health risks of smoking. These include the ‘Smarter than starting to smoke’ campaign, the ‘Quit…Now it’s up to you’ initiatives, and the ‘Pledge to quit smoking’ and ‘A child at home” to protect children from passive exposure to tobacco.
“The UAE was one of the first countries to join the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and as a result has established various legislations supporting tobacco control measures and international best practices to improve the health of society,” the ministry said. .
“Tobacco control has become a top priority for MoHAP, and we have designed an integrated strategy through the National Tobacco Control Programme,” the ministry said, adding that “reduction of cigarette and tobacco has been adopted as a key performance indicator of the UAE National Tobacco Control Programme”. Agenda.”
According to the 2018 National Health Survey, adult smoking prevalence increased from 11.1% in 2010 to 9.1% in 2018. In addition, MoHAP collaborated with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority ( TRA) to block specific websites that advertise and promote their electronic products. tobacco products.
In addition, he launched a training program to upgrade and increase the capacity of doctors to provide quality services that can help smokers quit smoking, based on a unified guideline compatible with the latest treatment approaches. available worldwide.
The ministry also said it was working with the Gulf Health Council to run the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) in the Gulf countries.
The international occasion, World No Tobacco Day, is observed annually on May 31 to highlight the consequences of the consumption of tobacco products and what can be done to protect future generations from tobacco use.
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