Model clinic to be set up to combat smoking

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 29: In order to tackle the ever increasing number of smokers in the country, the Ministry of Health has come up with a novel idea of setting up an anti-smoking clinic in Riyadh.

Muhammad Al-Baddah, supervisor general of the campaign, said, “The model clinic, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, will have state-of-the-art equipment to treat smokers and provide training to health workers involved in the country’s anti-smoking campaign.”

The model clinic will be attached to all the other anti-smoking clinics working throughout the Kingdom. This will enable easy sharing of information.

At present, four anti-smoking clinics are operational in Riyadh, three are present in the Eastern Province and another four in Jeddah.

The health personnel who will be given the job of running the new clinics are being given elaborate training in clinical therapy and counseling.

Furthermore, it has been planned that literature and documentary films on the hazards of smoking will be produced by the clinic in order to make people aware about the same.

Even the economy of Saudi Arabia is being affected because of the health hazards that smoking poses. So the government wants the anti-smoking message to reach out to one and all. Al-Baddah added, “Although we cannot see immediate results of our campaign, we know that in the long run our message will be heeded by all concerned.”

The Saudi Cabinet is in the process of making a new law wherein it has been proposed that a fine of SR 200 be imposed on anyone who smokes in public. It also includes the provision of separate areas for smokers in public places.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of death in the Kingdom with 13,929 people dying in the year 2008 alone. SR 12 billion was spent by the Saudi government between 2000 and 2004, so as to treat diseases related to smoking.

Al-Baddah revealed that number of students who smoke is very high. What is more shocking is the fact that 24 percent males and 8 percent females between the age group of 13 and 15 years smoke.

As per statistics, the Kingdom imports 43,000 tonnes of tobacco amounting to SR 5 billion every year. Out of this, almost whole of the import is consumed by locals whereas a very small amount is re-exported.