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Awareness campaign to mark World No Tobacco Day today

DUBAI — Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences (Shams), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), is holding a five-day campaign from May 29 to June 2 to mark May 31 as World No Tobacco Day.

The Community Medical Services Centre, a division of Shams, has taken the initiative to educate the young generation about the dire consequences of smoking which might lead to their death or the death of their loved ones.

The campaign includes awareness programmes and text messaging service through which the centre will deliver messages to smokers and non-smokers alike about the dangerous effects of smoking. The campaign will also reach people through television channels, radio channels and posters placed in schools, hospitals, shopping malls, business centres and other public places.

Dr Laila Al Marzouqi, cardiologist at Dubai Hospital and Chairperson of Community Medical Service Centre, said most of heart and lung diseases are caused by smoking.

She added that younger generations have been targetted by tobacco manufacturers through appealing advertisements. Professor Najib Al Khaja, Secretary-General of the Award, expressed his optimism that the campaign would discourage people who start smoking at early age.

• UAE