Only one in four smokers who took part in an online survey said the UAE’s tobacco tax had changed their cigarette habit.
The latest figures into smoking habits in the UAE offer the first indicator of the impact of government measures introduced in October to encourage more people to quit.
Of the 600 participants of an Apester poll conducted by The National, 75 per cent said the 100 per cent 'sin tax' on tobacco products had not led them to quit since prices were increased in the final quarter of last year.
Another trend picked up in the results was medwakh’s increasing popularity.
The super-strength pipe-smoked tobacco was smoked by 57 per cent of those who took part in the survey, with almost one in five people smoking it every day.
More than half of smokers said they had tried e-cigarettes or e-pipes for a nicotine hit, despite devices and refills being banned from sale in the UAE.
Of those who had tried alternatives to conventional cigarettes, 54 per cent said they were not prepared to switch to electronic devices to feed their habit.
“Smoking can affect any age group, but most of the patients we come across belong to the middle-aged group,” said Dr Noordin Wadhvaniya, a pulmonologist at Specialist Respiratory Medicine, Canadian Specialist Hospital.
“Tobacco smoke damages most of the body’s organs, due to the presence of many chemical substances in the smoke. Low quality tobacco can have a more adverse effect.”
The Tobacco Atlas report, released this month, revealed fewer men in the UAE smoke than elsewhere in the GCC, at 14 per cent of the male population compared with more than a quarter of men in Saudi Arabia, and almost half of those in Bahrain.
Less than 2 per cent of UAE women admitted to smoking in the report.
A study by Tanta University in Egypt found lung cancer is the most common cancer among Emirati men, with about 30,000 people forecast to be diagnosed each year by 2030 across the Middle East.
The 2017 Lung Cancer Incidence in the Arab League Countries report predicts there will be 29,576 new cases in 2020, up from 16,596 in 2008.
Dr Wadhvaniya said smokers hoping to give up should avoid alcohol and other triggers, and discuss nicotine replacement therapy with a doctor.
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Read more:
Doctors call for 'minimum pricing' plan for tobacco after introduction of UAE's sin tax
Almost 3,000 smoking-related deaths a year in UAE, report shows
More enforcement needed to curb smoking in UAE, say experts
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Doctors are seeing younger patients with smoking-related lung conditions.
“I used to see patients over-45, but recently I’m treating more patients who are just 30 who have come to the clinic with lung symptoms related to smoking,” said Dr Saheer Sainalabdeen, a specialist pulmonologist at International Modern Hospital in Dubai.
“Smoking is a disease more than an addiction. Like obesity, it is driven by multiple behavioural factors.
“There is no safe cigarette, it is like poison. Medwakh is the second-most common form of smoking in my patients after cigarettes, especially in young people.
“There is a misconception that medwakh is less harmful, but it has different carcinogenic elements.
“When you smoke it, large amounts of nicotine immediately enter the blood affecting the central nervous system and heart.
“It causes increased blood pressure, heart rate and has been related to seizures. It is highly addictive and quitting is really difficult.”
Of those who completed The National's survey, 7 per cent began smoking before they were 13, while 16 per cent were under 16 when they started cigarettes.
“Most health issues related to smoking would start around their forties or fifties, as lung function usually deteriorates with age but in smokers it deteriorates faster,” said Dr Arun Arya, a pulmonary disease consultant at NMC Royal hospital.
Smoking tobacco causes more than 85 per cent of cancer cases, 22 per cent of global cancer deaths and 71 per cent of global lung cancer deaths.
According to the World Health Organisation, 16.4 per cent of cancer deaths are attributed to cancer of the trachea, bronchus or lung.
"One hit of medwakh is the equivalent of smoking four or five cigarettes, and some of these young guys will smoke 20-30 times a day – equal to about five packets of cigarettes a day," said Dr Sainalabdeen.
“It is important to stop people from smoking at an early age before they develop an addiction that will be with them for a very long time,” Dr Zaid Zoumot, consultant pulmonologist at the Respiratory and Critical Care Institute at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi.
“In this region, a lot of people smoke medwakh and that is very hard to control.
“Smokers do not really know what they are smoking as it is not standardised and the quality can vary greatly.
“Awareness and education for younger people is very important. Medwakh is a potentially a big problem.”
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The specs
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Power: 252 brake horsepower
Torque: 352Nm
Price: from Dh146,700
On sale: now
In the Land of Saints and Sinners
Director: Robert Lorenz
Starring: Liam Neeson, Kerry Condon, Jack Gleeson, Ciaran Hinds
Rating: 2/5
Company Profile
Company: Astra Tech
Started: March 2022
Based: Dubai
Founder: Abdallah Abu Sheikh
Industry: technology investment and development
Funding size: $500m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Alaan
Started: 2021
Based: Dubai
Founders: Parthi Duraisamy and Karun Kurien
Sector: FinTech
Investment stage: $7 million raised in total — $2.5 million in a seed round and $4.5 million in a pre-series A round
TOP 10 MOST POLLUTED CITIES
1. Bhiwadi, India
2. Ghaziabad, India
3. Hotan, China
4. Delhi, India
5. Jaunpur, India
6. Faisalabad, Pakistan
7. Noida, India
8. Bahawalpur, Pakistan
9. Peshawar, Pakistan
10. Bagpat, India
Source: IQAir
Specs: 2024 McLaren Artura Spider
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and electric motor
Max power: 700hp at 7,500rpm
Max torque: 720Nm at 2,250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100km/h: 3.0sec
Top speed: 330kph
Price: From Dh1.14 million ($311,000)
On sale: Now
The Specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 118hp
Torque: 149Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Price: From Dh61,500
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Twin electric motors and 105kWh battery pack
Power: 619hp
Torque: 1,015Nm
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Touring range: Up to 561km
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
Price: From Dh635,000
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
MEDIEVIL (1998)
Developer: SCE Studio Cambridge
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Console: PlayStation, PlayStation 4 and 5
Rating: 3.5/5
FROM THE ASHES
Director: Khalid Fahad
Starring: Shaima Al Tayeb, Wafa Muhamad, Hamss Bandar
Rating: 3/5
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS & THE ECONOMY
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya Shetty, Kai Smith
The five pillars of Islam
Bridgerton season three - part one
Directors: Various
Starring: Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 3/5
RESULTS
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Mubhir Al Ain, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Exciting Days, Oscar Chavez, Doug Watson
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Suny Du Loup, Marcelino Rodrigues, Hamad Al Marar
10.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Jafar Des Arnets, Oscar Chavez, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
11pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Taj Al Izz, Richard Mullen, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
11.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Majdy, Antonio Fresu, Jean de Roualle
12am: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Hamloola, Sam Hitchcott, Salem Al Ketbi
TECH SPECS: APPLE WATCH SE (second generation)
Display: 40mm, 324 x 394; 44mm, 368 x 448; Retina LTPO OLED, up to 1000 nits; Ion-X glass
Processor: Apple S8, W3 wireless
Capacity: 32GB
Memory: 1GB
Platform: watchOS 9
Health metrics: 2nd-gen heart rate sensor, workouts, fall/crash detection; emergency SOS, international emergency calling
Connectivity: GPS/GPS + cellular; Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC (Apple Pay)
Durability: Water resistant up to 50m
Battery: 269mAh Li-ion, up to 18h, wireless charging
Cards: eSIM
Finishes: Aluminium; midnight, silver, starlight
In the box: Watch SE, magnetic-to-USB-C charging cable, band/loop
Price: Starts at Dh999 (40mm) / 1,119 (44mm)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm