An initiative to set up an anti-smoking association by concerned officials in the country is underway and it will include all institutions working for the cause. The association will aim at increasing awareness among the society about the health risks caused by smoking, Al Sharq reported yesterday. The anti smoking association will be part of many actions taken by the country to curb the smoking habit among nationals and expatriates. The Hamad Medical Cooperation and the Supreme Council of Health organised many campaigns and primary health clinics have anti smoking clinics to help people quite smoking. The new anti smoking association is likely to work with all such institutions. It will help to increase awareness about the health risks of tobacco, including ‘sheesha’ and smokeless products at all levels. According to a study by the Weil Cornell Medical College in Qatar, residents purchase at least 1 billion cigarettes a year, and the annual smoking rate in Qatar is 12,000 cigarettes per person. The study suggests that a staggering $65m is spent on cigarettes annually, while $150m is spent to cover healthcare costs of patients affected by smoking-related diseases. A 2006 survey shows that 25 percent of young males in Qatar are smokers, with women smokers comprising five percent. The Peninsula

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