Smoking rate in Qatar stands at 25% of total population: Dr Ahmad Al Mulla
Qatar marks ‘World No Tobacco Day; more than 1,900 patients visited 17 smoking cessation clinics in 2023
QNA
DOHA: Qatar joined the world to celebrate the ‘World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on 31 May. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated this year’s theme as: ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.’
Acting Manager of Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Diseases at MOPH Dr. Salah Abdullah Al Yafei, said “The ministry continues its efforts to reduce tobacco consumption in all forms in the State of Qatar, through the implementation of Law No. (10) of 2016 regarding the control of tobacco and its derivatives, in addition to implementing many extensive awareness initiatives and campaigns targeting the community.”
Director of HMC’s Tobacco Control Center, Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla revealed that the smoking rate in the State of Qatar currently stands at 25 percent of the total population. He added that 12.1 percent of those aged between 13 and 15 consume tobacco, and that more than 37 million young people worldwide smoke e-cigarettes.
Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla reiterated his call to quit this bad habit and warned about the negative effects resulting from the use of electronic smoking devices, which include vapes, vape pens, e-cigarettes, and e-shisha. He emphasized that none of these methods are a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes.
The PHCC now runs a total of 17 cessation clinics, with over 4,100 visits in 2023 for more than 1900 patients, among whom approximately 25 percent completed the treatment period and were able to quit smoking during the follow-up period. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of visits to the clinics exceeded 1150 visits for 745 patients, including approximately 20 percent who managed to quit smoking.
Smoking cessation clinics are available in 15 health centers at the PHCC, where appointments can be scheduled regardless of the smoker’s health file location. These centers are Al Gharrafa, Omar Bin Al Khattab, Al Daayen, Abu Bakr Al Siddiq, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Ruwais, Al Lebeib, Al Wukair, Qatar University, Al Waab, Al Wajba, Mesaieed, Um Salal, Al Sadd and Al Mashaf.
