Uae, UAE: Abu Dhabi: Anti-smoking Motivational Workshop Ends in Abu Dhabi

Source from:  Gulf News (ae)  12/24/2012

Results of a screening programme designed for UAE nationals showed that 24 per cent of males and 1 per cent of females above the age of 18 are smoking in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The survey covered 180,000 Emiratis, the largest of its kind survey in the emirate. Experts believe that smoking among UAE citizens is still lower than international standards but there is a strong belief that addiction to smoking has been growing in recent years.

The authority said an additional comprehensive survey to assess the growth of smoking will be conducted in the future.

Thirty people took part in a five-day workshop which concluded yesterday. The event is part of health authority's goal to improve public health as well as spread awareness about the harmful outcomes of smoking," said Dr Khalid Al Jaberi, manger of non-communicable disease at the HAAD.

The Health Authority in Abu Dhabi (HAAD) started a motivational workshop to help nationals stop smoking. The HAAD, the regulatory body of the health care sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has released results of a screening programme known as Weqaya, which means "precaution" in Arabic. Enditem