Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is marking World No Tobacco Day with a series of educational events and activities designed to convey the message about dangers of smoking. World No Tobacco Day is held internationally on May 31 each year, but HMC commenced its events yesterday — aimed at public and healthcare professionals. Organised by HMC’s Internal Medicine Department and the Smoking Cessation Clinic, the events include educational booths — highlighting the harmful effects of smoking and ways to quit the habit — at the entrance to Hamad General Hospital. Local studies reveal that smokers in Qatar has reached 37 percent of the population, and that the most smokers are between 20 and 35 years old. The studies also show that 15 percent of students in the preparatory and secondary schools are smokers. Ali Abdullah Al Khater, Executive Director of the Corporate Communications Department, and Dr Ahmed AbdulKarim Al Mulla, Consultant and Head of the Smoking Cessation Clinic at HMC launched the events yesterday. Dr Al Mulla said that the World Health Organisation’s theme for this year’s events was — “Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship” — and the four days of activities under HMC’s umbrella were sponsored by the Kulluna public health and safety campaign in collaboration with ConcocoPhilips Qatar. “As part of the activities, we have organised a scientific symposium today which will include lectures on the situation relating to smoking in Qatar and the latest methods and strategies to encourage people to quit,” Dr Al Mulla said. Source : Qatar Chronicle

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