MINA, 1 February 2004 — Unfortunately, a large number of pilgrims are smokers. It is hard to estimate the number of smokers performing Haj but the figure is estimated to be between 400,000 and 600,000.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Badah, the director of the National Anti-Smoking Campaign (NAP) and the director general of medical research at the Ministry of Health (MOH), gave the estimate. This year he is in charge of the anti-smoking Haj campaign for the second consecutive year.
Dr. Al-Badah pointed out that the estimate was based on the findings of many studies, in particular those of the World Health Organization (WHO) concerning the number of smokers in the pilgrims’ home countries. For example, the percentage of male smokers in Britain is 30 percent, while it is 50 percent in Egypt and 70 percent in China.
“The campaign is in response to the instructions of the Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Abudallah Al-Manei. The minister directed that we take advantage of Haj to fight against smoking as part of the Kingdom’s efforts in this field. The purpose of the campaign is to make the pilgrims aware of the severe consequences of smoking on health, society and the economy,” Dr. Al-Badah explained.
As part of the campaign the ministry’s specialists in healthcare awareness are distributing flyers, booklets, audiocassettes and postcards. In addition, they also give lectures to pilgrims on the harm which can result from smoking and suggest ways to overcome the habit. The pilgrims can also see a number of anti-smoking banners and billboards.
Despite its shortness of duration, Dr. Al-Badah was optimistic about the campaign’s results.
“Of course we cannot expect large numbers of pilgrims to quit smoking. Nor can we run smoking treatment clinics as the time required for that is longer than a few days. If, however, we can at least convey to many pilgrims what a threat smoking can pose to everyone’s health and life, we can consider ourselves successful,” he concluded.
