UAE health experts consider second-hand smoke a "major public health threat"

A new study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates 200,000 people die each year of lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and cardiac death because of exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace.

In addition, approximately 700 million children - almost half of the world's children - are exposed to secondhand smoke.

With over 4,000 chemical compounds, including 70 known or probable human carcinogens, eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke in public areas has become a major priority of stop smoking campaigns worldwide.

In line with the objectives of global stop smoking campaigns, smokefree air laws were introduced in the UAE on 15 September 2007.

Smoking in shopping malls and public areas is now prohibited, with the exception of designated smoking areas which have to be approved by the Clinic and Community Health section.

Dr. Wedad Al Maidoor, Head of the Ministry of Health Tobacco Control Team in the UAE, said:

"The smoke-free air legislation, which is being extended, has made two important contributions to the quality of life in the UAE. Fewer people are being exposed to secondhand smoke, particularly children and vulnerable adults, such as expectant mothers".

"In addition, we're seeing that smoke-free environments are enabling more people to quit, by reducing the exposure of smokers to smoking areas. Our national tobacco control law is strongly supporting and ensuring a smoking free-environment," she added.

According to a survey of current smokers, conducted at the start of the year, seven out of ten smokers want to quit the potentially fatal habit.

New smoke-free air laws provide smokers with public environments free from any pressure or temptation to smoke

In support of the new laws, the UAE Ministry of Health has approved the registration of Champix, one of the most effective treatments for breaking the cycle of tobacco addiction.

Champix is a breakthrough treatment that had already helped millions of smokers to quit worldwide.

It is a non-nicotine agent and the first new treatment approved for smoking cessation in nearly a decade.

Physicians agree that, for those aiming to quit, medication is far more effective than relying on willpower alone.

In two clinical trials, patients who received Champix had almost four times more chance of quitting smoking compared to patients who simply received a placebo, over a 12-week course of therapy.

By combining a mix of new legislation, support programmes and public awareness campaigns, the UAE is seen as deploying a best practice approach within the GCC region.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Hakim, director of external affairs and policy for Pfizer Middle East, said: "The UAE is definitely moving forward with a number of innovative measures to create a smoke-free environment. Its approach is enabling a higher number to quit smoking, which is a socially-devastating medical area".

Since the introduction of smokefree laws around the world, studies have documented a range of positive follow-on effects including a significant decline in hospital admissions for heart attacks, increased productivity and reduced sickness in employees, and reduced injuries and risk of fire damage.