Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, June 4th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Medical Services Department at the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ organized a seminar on the Health Risks of Smoking, aimed at enhancing awareness of its staff members. The event, which was organized in cooperation with the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and a specialized training company, was held at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr hotel, Abu Dhabi.

In her opening speech at the seminar, Dr. Suad Al Jabiri, infectious diseases specialist at the Medical Services Department, Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, said: “Marking the World No Tobacco Day intends to encourage the public to reduce tobacco use around the world. This day also aims to draw international attention to the need to build support for stricter and effective tobacco control measures, highlight the negative effects and the health risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption, which is the single most preventable cause of death globally and is currently responsible for 10% of adult deaths worldwide.”

She added: “This global tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers who die from breathing second-hand smoke. Unless urgent action is taken today, this tobacco epidemic will kill more than 8 million people every year by 2030. Nearly 80% of these deaths would be avoided among people who live in in low- and middle-income countries.”

Following the opening speech, the seminar began its sessions. Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al Kaddour from the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) spoke of health risks of tobacco dependence. Dr. Afaf Othman Al Baser spoke of the risks of tobacco during pregnancy. Dr. Ahmed Fathi Ma’rouf from the Medical Services Department spoke of the relation between tobacco dependence and the various forms of depression and anxiety. Heath Warburton spoke of the link between smoking and lower back pain among medical personnel. Steven Hatfill spoke of the risks of respiratory infections in smokers. Dr. Rajih Rafeeq Al Fahl spoke of the program to combat tobacco use in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

At the end of the seminar, the floor was opened for discussions and lecturers answered the attendees’ questions and queries.

It is worth mentioning that a number of police departments at Abu Dhabi Police GHQ are celebrating the World No Tobacco Day, which is observed every year on May 31. The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates this event to convince smokers and tobacco users to quit and to encourage governments, societies, communities and individuals to realize the extent of the problem and to take proper action.

Every year, the WHO presents one or more awards to individuals or organizations that have made valuable contributions to reducing tobacco consumption and bringing success to the campaigns that mark the World No Tobacco Day.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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