Dubai Health Authority conducts anti-tobacco lecture at Zayed University

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, November 10, 2013: The Dubai Health Authority recently held a lecture about the ill-effects of tobacco consumption for students at Zayed University.

More than 100 students attended this lecture where DHA doctors presented details including several case studies about the health hazards of smoking.

The educational program is part of the DHA's on-going effects to help students stub this harmful habit.

The DHA has launched three wellness clinics across Zayed University, Dubai Men's College and Dubai Women's College so that students have access to smoking cessation clinics and counseling services within the campus itself.

Dr Hanan Obaid, Tobacco-Free Dubai Project Leader and Acting Director of the Health Affairs Department, Primary Healthcare Services Sector at the DHA said that the cooperation of educational institutes has significantly helped advocate the anti-tobacco campaign.

So far about 20 students who had enrolled themselves in the cessation clinic on campus have managed to quit smoking.

Dr Sami Mana Ahmad, a community medicine specialist registrar at the DHA's cessation clinic said students often begin smoking due to the positive association they have about tobacco consumption. “Most often than not students begin smoking due to peer pressure and in the beginning it is a behavioral issue, however  soon it becomes a habit that carries on into adulthood. Of course, the long-term use of tobacco has several health repercussions and therefore we are actively trying to encourage students to quit the habit before the graduate and leave the university.”

He said students use all types of tobacco and Midwaq( pipe) is quite common among smokers in universities. “ Midwaq is easy to use and one puff is enough, so its quicker than smoking a cigarette that normally takes a few minutes to smoke. These are some of the reasons Midwaq has become more popular.”

He said students don't realize the ill-effects of smoking and therefore the wellness centre  asks them to take a simple lung test which reveals the level of carbon monoxide, so that they can understand the risks of smoking better.

“ At the end of the day, we are trying to create an environment at colleges and universities that highlights the negative health effects of smoking and we are pleased with the support we have received so far.”