13 September 2008
Dr Ahmed El Hakim, Director, External Affairs & Policy, Pfizer Middle East, told Khaleej Times on Thursday that the government policies were a positive step. “Local medical professionals are working with the local health authorities to implement these policies and make the workplace smoke-free,” he said.
Explaining the policies, Dr El Hakim said that the ban on smoking in public areas is testimony to the efforts.
Reducing costs incurred by the government in caring for people admitted to local hospitals for conditions caused by passive smoke exposure, and a reduction in costs of employer liability insurance, are also some of the benefits experienced by countries enforcing smoke-free laws.
“The smoke-free policies implemented by the authorities will reduce passive smoke levels in public areas, improving community health and reducing demands on our health care system,” says the expert.
“All government offices, schools, airports and hospitals are now smoke-free zones as part of the policies,” he said, adding that the benefits would be greater in future,” explained Dr El Hakim. “In Abu Dhabi, smoking is not even allowed in the parking lots outside hospitals.”
Dr Emad Aly, Regional Medical Director, Pfizer Middle East, said the sponsorship advertisements of tobacco products had also been completely banned. “The best initiative taken by the UAE authorities is to introduce smoking cessation clinics. Other countries in the region have similar programmes but they do not provide drug treatment as only psycho-therapy or counselling is used,” said Dr Aly.
Passive smoke contains more than 4,000 substances — 50 of which are known, or suspected, to cause cancer in humans, including carbon monoxide found in exhaust fumes, and nicotine, a chemical used in pesticide.
Exposure to passive smoke causes thousands of lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis each year in infants and children younger than 18 months.
Employers are also set to benefit financially. Experts say employer liability insurance premiums are lower when a work place is smoke-free.
“Smoke-free work places cost employers less because the employer liability insurance for workers exposed to passive smoke is reduced,” added Dr Aly.
I feel Quit Smoking campaigns should be conduct in all the public places regularly, Big companies should come ahead and sponsor the events. All the advertisement & Vehicles on the roads should promote health warning due to smoking. Lastly cost of the tobacco products should be increased 200 % wish you all a smoke free environment. - Mandar, Dubai
