Initiative helps more companies to become smoke-free zones

Now organisations in the UAE that are committed to becoming smoke-free zones and helping their employees to quit smoking permanently, can host a special, free Nicotinell Smoking Cessation lecture, detailing the health dangers associated with smoking, the benefits of quitting, as well as professional advice on giving up successfully.

"Research shows that smoking is harmful to the health of both the smoker and non-smokers sharing a workspace," said Dr Zarqa Taimur of the Jebel Ali Medical Centre, which has worked with NCH to offer a number of lectures. "Adult passive smokers have a 10-30% higher risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers not regularly exposed to smoke, and suffer a range of life threatening health effects including heart disease. Designating working environments as non-smoking areas can have an important impact on health, so I am delighted to be involved in this initiative," Dr Taimur added.

The Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, recently took advantage of the initiative and held a Nicotinell Smoking Cessation lecture for staff wanting to quit the habit. "We are delighted to be the first hotel to take advantage of this programme for the benefit of our employees," said Hani Farid, the Human Resources Director of the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Mr John Lagos, the General Manager of the hotel is also very supportive of this important issue. "Dr Taimur offered expert advice and support, which we hope will help many of our employees who are committed to quitting, to reach their goal. Over 60 staff participated in the lecture and feedback shows that although we know quitting smoking isn't easy, it is possible with the right help," added Hani Farid.

"We are pleased to offer help and encouragement to companies wishing to become smoke-free by providing professional advice and motivation through this initiative," said Dr Lina Al Kouatly, General Manager of Novartis Consumer Health. "If needed, we can also provide full support in helping a company implement a smoking cessation programme for their staff."

The recent lecture at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Hotel was the eighth Nicotinell Smoking Cessation lecture to be held in the UAE since the beginning of 2001. In addition to finding out more about the dangers of smoking and how to quit smoking successfully, participants also took advantage of a free 'Smokerlyzer' test, which measured their carbon monoxide and bloodstream carboxyhaemoglobin levels to gauge the level of these harmful substances in the body as a result of smoking.

Additional benefits to companies who implement a smoke-free environment include substantial cost savings from cleaning, insurance and days lost due to smoking related sickness. Companies interested in finding out more about the Nicotinell Smoking Cessation lectures should contact NCH on tel: 04 - 3390087.

About the Nicotinell Smoking Cessation lectures
The Nicotinell Smoking Cessation lectures have been developed by Novartis Consumer Health to help participants understand more about the effects of smoking, the benefits of quitting and how to quit effectively.

Nicotinell TTS patches offer medical assistance for people committed to quitting smoking by preventing them from experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which makes giving up difficult. Nicotinell patches break the cycle of nicotine addiction, by delivering a steady low dose of nicotine to the system. This maintains relatively constant blood levels above the craving threshold, so that the smoker does not feel the urge to light up, and has less likelihood of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotinell helps to overcome the physiological dependence upon nicotine and allows the smoker to deal with the smoking habit - i.e. to break physiological dependence. By weaning from a strong to a weak patch over a course of 12 weeks, the physiological dependence on nicotine is diminished gradually, and the smoker will be freed from further craving for nicotine.