Saudi students in Sharjah University took the lead and set an example against the anti-tobacco campaign when they participated in an "awareness walk" on the streets of Sharjah on Thursday.

Saleh Hamad Al-Suhaibani, cultural attaché of Saudi Royal Embassy in the UAE, said the walk which was undertaken by Saudi students along with other Arab students to spread awareness against smoking, was a great move.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Suhaibani said smoking was harmful and damaging to society, and the awareness walk would help spread the message among people on how to fight this evil.

He said that the awareness program was launched under the aegis of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and president of the University of Sharjah.

Al-Suhaibani said the government of Sharjah was keen on carrying out the battle against tobacco using all means, and to spread awareness among people in the public and private sector at all the levels: on the streets, in the markets, in small shops.

“The participation of Saudi students speaks volumes of their commitment toward their university and the people of Gulf countries. The anti-smoking awareness campaign by Saudi students was initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia, which shows its concern for the youth and future generations,” he said.

Stating that awareness on the dangers of smoking is very important, he said: “It’s everyone’s goal to save our young generation from the harms of smoking, spreading awareness about its dangers, and more importantly, giving them inputs on how to quit. This awareness campaign or battle against dangers of smoking is a way to educate people, particularly our youth about health and social problems that occur because of smoking.”

According to one report released by the General Statistics Department of Saudi Arabia, nearly 30,000 people die every year in the Kingdom and other Gulf countries as a result of smoking. The GCC states have allocated 15 percent of the total health expenditure for treatment of diseases caused by smoking.

Cigarette smoking causes many types of cancer, including cancer of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix, besides acute myeloid leukemia. Of the more than 7,000 chemicals present in tobacco smoke, at least 250 are known to be harmful, including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and ammonia. Among these harmful chemicals, at least 69 can cause cancer.