RIYADH, 31 May 2005 — The Kingdom will join the international community in observing the World No Tobacco Day 2005 today in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization. This year’s theme is: “Health Professionals Against Tobacco.”
The Ministry of Health has instructed its 20 regions to observe the day and to pass the message to the people. The ministry’s program will begin with a seminar inaugurated by Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Manie. The seminar will be followed by an exhibition on the hazards of smoking. Deputy Minister of Health for Executive Affairs Dr. Mansoor Naser Al-Howasi, Director of the King Saud Chest Hospital Dr. Saeed Al- Zahrani and Dr. Abdullah Al-Bideihi, the supervisor general of the Anti-Smoking Unit at the Ministry of Health, will be the main speakers.
The ministry will also launch an experimental website to continue its anti-smoking program in the Kingdom. An electronic billboard to discourage people from smoking will be put up at the Old Airport Roundabout today. “It is sad that one third of the health professionals in the Kingdom smoke and the ministry is concerned about this figure since we want them to set an example to others,” Dr. Bideihi told Arab News.
He pointed out that smokers include 40 percent of adults, 5 percent of female students and 20 percent of males in public schools. He said the ministry had set up more than 50 anti-smoking centers throughout the Kingdom. “They are meant to create public awareness about the hazards of smoking as well as to assist people in quitting,” he added.
