Inspection teams of Tobacco Control Unit of Supreme Council of Health (SCH) have recorded 1,690 smoking violations in public places since the launch of intensive anti–smoking campaign in March last year.
The SCH campaign in shopping malls and other public places was launched to enforce 2002 Law No. (20) regulating the control of tobacco products and to raise and promote awareness on dangers of using tobacco and its derivatives.
In 2010, 1690 violations were recorded during 2362 visits to the commercial complexes and other areas where smoking is banned. For this, inspectors with special judicial powers to check violations of the law were deployed.
“SCH does not hesitate to take action and promote ways to protect and ensure the health of the people here,” said Dr Sheikha Anoud bint Mohammed Al Thani, Director of Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease, SCH.
“We try to raise their awareness on the health risks related to smoking. The campaign will be continued through out 2011 to detect violators.”
According to a national study, the annual smoking rate in Qatar is more than 12,000 cigarettes per smoker. At least one billion cigarettes are used each year with a spending above $65m, here. Also the value of medical services provided for the treatment of diseases associated with smoking reached more than $150m, in addition to the government spending on service agencies responsible for monitoring imports of tobacco.
Studies here have also shown that tobacco consumption is high among youth. The Qatar World Health Survey conducted in 2006 showed that 25 percent of the young males and five percent of the women were smokers. Among women, a large number of women over 50 years of age reported smoking cigarettes in the 30 days prior to the survey.
According to earlier reports, a 2004 study of preparatory and secondary school students in Qatar had found that 25.9 percent of the male students and 14.9 percent of the female students who took part in the survey were smokers. The survey covered a total of 3,240 students from 111 classes. Smoking had become a habit for 15.1 percent of the male students, while 4.5 percent of the female students had made it a habit. Of those surveyed, 63.5 percent said they wanted to quit smoking. But 62.5 percent said they had tried to quit before.
“Most of the smokers know that smoking has harmful effects but are not always aware about the effects in detail,” said Dr Sheikha Abu Sheikha, head, Non-Communicable Disease Department, SCH
“Key facts one should always be aware of is that smoking results in Cardio-Vascular Diseases and stroke which are the leading killers in the United states. Smoking can also cause diseases as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and oral cancer. Quitting smoking requires a strong determination and commitment because it is not easy to give up something that was an integral part of a person’s life. Doctors always stress reducing the number of cigarettes each week and slowly stopping the habit, and medications can help overcome the withdrawal symptoms.”
THE PENINSULA