New antismoking clinics to open in UAE this year

The Ministry of Heath is set to open six new clinics this year to help people kick the habit.

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ABU DHABI // The Ministry of Health will open six new clinics this year to help people quit smoking.

Dr Widad Al Maidour, head of national tobacco control programme (NTCP) at the Ministry of Health, told Al Ittihad, The National’s Arabic sister publication, that the ministry will form a special team to follow up on the NTCP’s executive plan for this year.

The team will consist of representatives from the preventive medicine departments in each of the ministry’s medical zones and anti-tobacco officials.

It will in turn form a sub-team in each emirate to follow up on the implementation of the anti-tobacco law and encourage people to visit antismoking clinics.

This year’s plan includes many activities namely holding awareness campaigns about the risks of dokha and chewing tobacco, updating the “before you start” website and preparing a series of awareness brochures.

Dr Al Maidour said that antismoking clinics will conduct a psychological and behaviour study on the individual wishing to give up smoking and define their needs, then offer the necessary medical counselling or treatment.

The clinics will offer Emiratis counselling and treatment free of charge, while expats will be charged a minimal fee.

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