Tighter Controls Needed on Smoking in the UAE

Source from:  7 Days 12/07/2015

A leading oncologist has called for stricter measures to combat smoking, especially shisha and medwakh, in the UAE.

Dr Mohammed Jaloudi, Chief of Medical Oncology, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, told 7DAYS the prevalence of lung cancer in the next 15 to 20 years could get worse if restrictions are not implemented.

"Although smoking is the biggest cause for lung cancer, in the UAE, smoking cigarettes is not as prevalent, shisha is the bigger issue," said Jaloudi.

"The more control we have on people smoking, the more we can restrict the incidents of lung cancer."

Graphic images on packets, checking IDs of smokers and controls to combat passive smoking should all be implemented in the Emirates, he added.

"In the West they have smoking restrictions everywhere – you cannot smoke in public buildings, near schools and there are very graphic images on cigarette packets," he said.

"All these lead to a positive change in smoking behaviour. Here, we need more strict regulations not only on cigarettes but also shisha and medwakh."

About 15 to 20 per cent of patients diagnosed with lung cancer do not smoke cigarettes, said Jaloudi.

"Young kids are seen using medwakh while shisha is widely accepted here, you can see families with kids in shisha cafes. Young kids and minors are hence exposed to

second-hand smoking, which can also lead to lung cancer.

"It is also very common to see very young boys at a medwakh shop – all these practices should be regulated."

Globally, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and in the UAE it causes more deaths per year than breast and colorectal cancer combined.

At least 70 to 80 people per 100,000 in the UAE are diagnosed with lung cancer – and the rate is increasing. Jaloudi said:

"The increase is due to many factors, such as ageing, continued population growth but particularly, smoking habits. Moreover, the majority of patients are men because it is

less socially acceptable for women to smoke in the UAE, which reduces their risk of lung cancer."

Jaloudi also outlined a new alternative to chemotherapy for those suffering from adenocarcinoma – a type of cancer that forms in mucus-secreting glands and accounts for 40-50 per cent of lung cancer cases.

He said: "It is an oral drug, so the patient does not have to sit long hours with a machine, plus it also negates the nausea, hair loss and other side effects that come with chemotherapy.

"It is a fairly new therapy and quite a few countries will have to wait a couple of years to get a hold of it, but thankfully it is available and ready to use in the UAE." Enditem