Rising number of smokers a cause for serious concern

The chief of the Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association (SDEA) has requested all members of the community to join hands in the campaign against smoking.
Speaking at a program recently, Abdul Aziz Al-Turki underlined the need for concerted efforts to educate people about the bad effects of smoking.
The association has urged all government departments to join the fight against smoking in view of the alarming rise.
According to latest statistics, the high percentage of cancer patients in the Kingdom is largely because of smoking. “We should inform everybody about the negative impact smoking has on their health,” said the SDEA official. The association has warned of a sharp increase in the numbers of smokers in the Kingdom. A study conducted by the SDEA showed that the number of smokers stood at 5 million. “This figure might reach 10 million by the end of 2020,” the study said and added that approximately SR20 billion is spent every year on smoking.
The association listed lack of awareness as a major reason for the increase in the number of smokers. “Therefore, we request the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and other important parties to take an active part in advising people against smoking and to provide them with proper help to kick the bad habit,” said the SDEA official.
The association also called on the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities to ban smoking inside their buildings, hotels, hospitals, sport centers, shops, restaurants and other public places.
The association insisted that all kinds of smoking — cigarettes and shisha — lead to diseases such as cancer. “Smoking can also lead to the altering of a person’s mood; it damages the person emotionally, psychologically and even financially,” Alturki added.