JUBAIL, 10 October 2006 — The Power and Water Utility Company for Jubail and Yanbu (Marafiq) organized a weeklong anti-smoking campaign in cooperation with the Anti-Smoking Clinic in Dammam at its head office in Jubail Industrial City and at its west-coast location in Yanbu. The campaign included a seminar and workshop as well as an exhibition.
In a written statement, Marafiq’s President and CEO Thamer Al-Sharhan said smoking was a hazardous habit which had to be fought tooth and nail. “It is important to promote good health among our employees and Marafiq will use all its resources to maintain its high occupational health standards and improve all the time. Our anti-smoking campaign is one of several moves in that direction,” he said.
Dr. Saleh Abdul Wahab Sulaiman of the Anti-Smoking Clinic in Dammam presented a paper on ways to quit smoking.
Physician Dr. Ayoub A. Sharif delivered a lecture on the hazards of smoking, dwelling on various health risks associated with smoking. He also focused on the effect of smoking on non-smokers.
A similar seminar was held at Marafiq’s premises in Yanbu where Dr. Mustafa Abdul Aziz, a chest consultant, presented a paper on the ill-effects of smoking.
An exhibition depicting the effects of smoking on health was also held. It contained various anti-smoking posters and models as well as samples of smoke-affected organs. The exhibition was well received by employees.
Marafiq plans to join the campaign against smoking on a broader level, joining hands with national industries, institutions and social organizations.
