Kuwait Society Calls For Strict Law On E-cigarettes

The Kuwait Society for Combating Smoking and Cancer issued a compelling call to action, emphasizing the critical need for stringent laws and regulations aimed at curbing smoking, including e-smoking in all its variations. Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors, delivered this message during a lecture titled “Tobacco and Electronic Smoking… Risks and Harms,” presented today as part of the activities marking the ninth joint Gulf Cancer Awareness Week, themed “We are with you.”

Highlighting smoking as a global challenge leading to increased mortality rates, Dr. Al-Saleh underscored the alarming statistic of approximately 8 million premature deaths annually attributed to smoking-related causes. He emphasized the profound health repercussions, particularly the strong association between smoking and lung cancer. Dr. Al-Saleh noted that Kuwaiti men and women typically initiate smoking between the ages of 17 and 30, with smoking prevalence rates standing at 39.2% among men and 3.3% among women.

Addressing the proliferation of electronic smoking, Dr. Al-Saleh cautioned against misconceptions regarding its safety compared to traditional tobacco smoking. Contrary to popular belief, studies have revealed that electronic smoking devices contain varying levels of nicotine, similar to conventional smoking methods.

Dr. Al-Saleh called for the allocation of adequate budgets for smoking awareness and treatment programs, aligned with the substantial health burdens imposed by smoking on healthcare systems. He emphasized the collective responsibility of governmental, civil, and private entities in combating the scourge of smoking, emphasizing it as a national imperative.

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