“Yes for the warning pictures on cigarette packs, and no for misleading words” was the theme of the fourth national anti-smoking exhibition which began Sunday at the Red Sea Mall. The exhibition, organized by Jeddah Health Affairs Management in cooperation with Primary Health Care Management and the Anti-Smoking Program at the Ministry of Health, coincided with the World No-Tobacco Day observed the world over on May 31. The exhibition and the associated campaign deal with the dangers of smoking, obesity and high blood pressure. According to Badawood, the seven-day exhibition will set up temporary clinics in the Red Sea Mall to give free treatment to smokers. “We are trying to motivate smokers to kick the habit. They are offered free medical tests and after diagnoses they are being referred to medical centers for appropriate treatment for free,” said Dr. Omar Al-Khuzaei, Family Medicine Consultant. In addition to the free health clinic at the Red Sea Mall, Health Affairs Management has established four other clinics in different areas of the city, such as, Briman, Salama, Safa and Al-Balad districts. Other similar clinics are also planned. “Expatriate patients and smokers will be transferred to the International Medical Center for treatment,” added Al-Khuzaei. Badawood explained that it was necessity to have new and advanced ways to help the community quit smoking. “The classic way of giving lectures and distributing brochures is considered inefficient, that's why we have established clinics to help smokers quit this deadly habit,” he said. The Ministry of Health is planning to reach the smokers' families as they suffer the most because of passive smoking, said Badawood. The campaign sheds light on the latest drugs that can be given to smokers to help them kick the habit. These drugs include “Champex” provided by Pfizer Company, and many other inexpensive medicines, said Al-Khuzaei. “The medication helps prevent nicotine from reaching the receptors in the brain, which usually leads to addiction, added Al-Khuzaei. The Ministry of Health is cooperating with Jeddah municipality to establish ways to help citizens begin extra activities like sports in order to lose weight, overcome obesity and stop smoking, added Badawood. The exhibition reflects the Kingdom's efforts to make people aware of smoking and its consequences, especially obesity.
