High carbon monoxide levels found in smokers in Dubai

Over the course of the month smokers and non smokers were given advice by doctors and had their carbon monoxide (CO) levels checked.

Over 200 people used the smokelyzer throughout the programme and most results recorded were above the recommended levels. The normal rate of CO in the blood is between 0 and 2 parts per million, a person who smokes a pack of cigarettes in an 8-hour time period will see their CO blood saturation rise to between 7 and 15 %, thus reducing the availability of oxygen to the body. Of the results recorded it was estimated that 30% were very high measuring 18 parts and above. Of the participants, 40 % were worried about the effects passive smoking was having on their health, of which 10% scored 6 -7 parts, which is the equivalent of smoking 6-8 cigarettes per day.

According to Dr. Ibrahim Gabir who carried out the tests throughout Dubai, "The most striking change I saw during the programme was in peoples attitude to smoking. A lot of people were very concerned with the effects that passive smoking can have on their health". Dr. Ibrahim also commented that he would not have seen this concern a number of years ago. "Perhaps this change in attitude is due to the increased awareness campaigns that have been carried out recently by the Ministry of Health and the Dubai Municipality ban on smoking in public places," added Ibrahim.

The campaign advocated the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) such as Nicotinell, to assist the smoker in giving up cigarettes. Using NRT has been shown to double the chances of quitting, as they work by giving you a small amount of nicotine, but without the dangerous effects of inhaling tobacco smoke. This helps to relieve the withdrawal symptoms and cravings for a cigarette that a smoker gets and allows you to concentrate on breaking the psychological habit of smoking.

"With more and more non smokers concerned about the effects of passive smoking, we are hoping that it will have a knock on effect on smokers" said Dr. Wedad Al Maidoor, Head of the Smoking Cessation Committee, Ministry of Health. "By 2010, all tobacco companies in the UAE will have to carry health messages with appropriate graphic images. Our overall aim and hope is that we reduce the number of people who smoke in the UAE," she added.

Smoking is the major cause of coronary heart disease and statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that half of adult males in the Middle East are smokers. According to Rany Victor, Senior Brand Manager, Novartis Consumer Health "It is estimated that total expenditure on tobacco in the GCC is up to $800 million per year and this does not include the cost of treating smoking related illness, which is increasingly becoming a financial burden on the healthcare system".