RIYADH: Thousands of students from various international schools took a pledge against the use of tobacco as part of events marking the World No Tobacco Day in the Kingdom.
The call for a mass pledge against tobacco and related substances was given by the Riyadh Initiative against Substance Abuse (RISA), a voluntary group.
Abdul Azeez Subair, convener of RISA who works with the Ministry of Health, told Arab News that more than 30,000 students and around 1,000 teachers took the vow that they will never use any substance of addiction and affirmed their responsibility to protect the community against the evils of tobacco, alcohol and other hazardous additive substances.
A function was organized at the International Indian School, Dammam, where Subair himself led the campaign to create awareness and protect teenagers from the evil of tobacco substance abuse.
It was attended by around 6,000 students from both boys and girls sections and IISD principal E.K. Mohammed Shaffee led the oath taking by students.
It was followed by a program at the International Indian School, Riyadh, where principal S.M. Shaukat Perwez and vice principal at the girls section Asma Shah led the pledge.
The other schools in Riyadh where the pledge was taken included Al-Yasmin public school, Al-Aliya, New Middle East school, Yara Public School, Delhi Public School and Alif International.
Subair said that simultaneous sessions were arranged in Al-Khozama school in Dammam and other international schools in Jubail, Tabuk and Buraida.
Leaflets containing the RISA pledge and 10 tips to help children keep away from substance abuse were also distributed to create awareness against tobacco use.
Subair said that RISA will conduct similar sessions in schools that are closed for summer vacation. He thanked all those who took sincere efforts to make the event a great success.
Thousands of students vow not to use tobacco
Thousands of students vow not to use tobacco
