Smoking cessation services at 13 PHCC centres

Smoking cessation services have been provided in 13 Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) Centres through specialised clinics, Wellness for Community Interventions head Dr Abdulhamid al-Khanji told local Arabic daily Arrayah.The clinics are supervised by trained and certified doctors in the tobacco dependence treatment. Their role focuses on providing effective consultations and appropriate prescriptions to help individuals successfully quit tobacco products.He noted that the target persons for these clinics are smokers and all individuals who depend on tobacco products. Individuals can access the service through a doctor's referral or by directly calling the number 107 to schedule an appointment.Dr al-Khanji explained that smoking cessation clinics rely on two main approaches in treatment. The first is changing the behavioural pattern of smokers by distancing them from the habit of smoking and quitting accompanying habits, especially in the initial days of treatment.The focus is on adopting a healthy lifestyle, including daily exercise. The second approach involves providing suitable medications to quit smoking, covering smokers' need for nicotine, known as nicotine substitutes.He pointed out that trainers conduct live broadcasts for the public through social media platforms, providing general advice and comprehensive training programmes for all groups.The wellness centre participates by conducting awareness workshops for the community members, encouraging a healthy lifestyle through exercise, healthy eating, smoking cessation, and healthy sleep, targeting both children and adults. He stressed the importance of exercise as an effective element in encouraging smoking cessation, as it reduces stress, a major reason for starting smoking.Dr al-Khanji said there are over 8mn deaths annually across the world from direct smoking and 1.2mn deaths from passive smoking. He warned against the spread of tobacco products among teenagers, which can lead to many negative effects such as nicotine addiction, lethargy, sleep deprivation, psychological symptoms, and decreased physical fitness.He explained that quitting smoking has many benefits. Smokers who quit smoking are less likely to develop tobacco-related diseases and reduce the risk of lung cancer.He also pointed out the launch of a programme for wellness in schools focusing on students' health on a monthly basis, including healthy eating, the importance of exercise, healthy sleep, and smoking cessation.