HMC Marks World No Tobacco Day

Doha, May 29 (QNA) -Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is marking World No Tobacco Day with a series of educational events and activities designed to drive home the message of the dangers of smoking. World No Tobacco Day is held internationally on 31 May each year, but HMC is holding its events aimed at public and healthcare professionals - over four days from 29 May and the 2013 events. Organized by HMCs Internal Medicine Department and the Smoking Cessation Clinic 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 the percentage of smokers in Qatar has reached 37 percent of the population, and that the most smokers are between 20-35 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 formally launched the events here on Wednesday,29 May. Dr. Al Mulla said that the World Health Organizations theme for this years events was "Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship" - and the four days of activities under HMCs umbrella were sponsored by the Kulluna campaign public health and safety campaign in collaboration with ConcocoPhilips Qatar. "As part of the activities, we have organized a scientific symposium on 30 May which will include lectures on the current situation relating to smoking in Qatar and the latest methods and strategies to encourage people to quit," Dr. Al Mulla said. For her part, Ms. Nadia Fanus, Co-Ordinator at the Smoking Cessation Clinic said a community education event will be held at City Center Mall on 31 May and 1 June. "These activities will increase awareness among the audience of the harms of smoking for the smoker and those around them," she said. "Smokers will be able to measure carbon dioxide levels and brochures about health consequences of tobacco and the ways to book an appointment in the stop smoking clinic will be distributed," Ms. Nadia added. (QNA)