Saudi Gazette Kafa, a charitable organization has been successful in making 74 women quit smoking, permanently. The organization operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs and its name, Kafa, means enough. During the past year, Kafa has conducted educational events, school visits, and informational exhibitions at major shopping centers in Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif and its neighboring cities to educate the society on the health risks associated with smoking and drug abuse. An estimated total of one million people have so far attended the various awareness anti-smoking and anti-drugs programs. It has received tremendous encouragement and praise from Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of the Makkah region and a sponsor of Kafa's activities. Those willing to quit smoking can visit one of Kafa's clinics for one-on-one support and treatment or head to their mobile clinic. Both have experienced doctors, specialized therapists and all necessary equipments, which are required for treatment. The mobile clinic also has plenty of reading material on quitting smoking. People from all walks of life have attested that the almost impossible challenge of quitting smoking was possible because of Kafa. Salah Al-Zahrani, an official of Kafa, said, “The organization's increased efforts in conducting awareness programs in addition to the therapy sessions offered in the clinic buildings and buses enabled a total of 8,000 residents of the Jeddah-Makkah area to quit smoking during the past year. The clinics recorded a total of 23,000 specialized therapy and cleansing sessions this year. As for the effectiveness of treatment, 47 percent of smokers who sat for a series of therapy sessions were able to permanently quit smoking.” Kafa's influence is not only restricted to school, college or public shopping centers, they also send volunteers to the Grand Mosque to spread awareness among pilgrims and worshipers. The positive feedback from the society confirms that the general public is aware of the negative impact of smoking and are ready to quit it, too. __
