Kuwait Ministry Of Health Unveils 2024 National Anti-Smoking Program

In a proactive move to tackle the pervasive issue of smoking and its detrimental effects, the Ministry of Health is gearing up to launch the National Anti-Smoking Program 2024. Entitled "Protecting Children from the Influence of the Tobacco Industry," the campaign is set to commence the day after tomorrow, Thursday, in collaboration with various ministries, agencies, and state institutions.

Dr. Abeer Al-Bahwa, Director of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry, revealed details of the initiative to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Tuesday. The campaign aims to reach all segments of society, including males, females, children, and adults, with a primary goal of raising awareness about the hazards of smoking.

Al-Bahwa emphasized that the campaign will focus on promoting legal awareness regarding the criminal penalties associated with smoking in the workplace and causing harm to others. Additionally, it aims to advocate for a smoke-free lifestyle to protect present and future generations from the multifaceted consequences of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.

Key objectives of the campaign include reducing tobacco-related illnesses and deaths, particularly lung diseases, and raising awareness about the dangers of hookah smoking. Protecting children and adolescents from passive smoking is also a central focus.

Scheduled to run until World No-Smoking Day on May 31, the campaign will feature a range of activities across Kuwait's six governorates. These activities include exhibitions, distribution of awareness brochures, illustrative models, open days for the public, and awareness-raising exhibitions conducted by administrative teams.

Health centers will contribute by screening awareness films about smoking and its adverse health effects and disseminating awareness messages on social media platforms. Additionally, awareness days will be organized in commercial complexes, featuring health exhibitions to educate the public about the harms of smoking.

Al-Bahwa highlighted alarming trends, noting higher rates of e-cigarette usage among children aged 13 to 15 years than adults. Studies indicate that young e-cigarette users are approximately three times more likely to transition to traditional cigarettes later in life. Moreover, exposure of fetuses to e-cigarettes has been found to negatively impact their development.

The World Health Organization's advocacy for stringent measures to prevent smoking, especially among children and youth, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. Al-Bahwa stressed the need for countries to implement strict regulations, citing disparities in regulations governing e-cigarettes across different nations.

She underscored the long-term health implications of e-cigarette usage, including the generation of toxic substances known to cause cancer and increase the risk of heart and lung disorders. Furthermore, e-cigarette use has been linked to adverse effects on brain development and learning disorders in young individuals.

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