The Al Ain Residency and Foreigners Affairs Department organized an awareness campaign to mark the World No Tobacco Day celebrated May 31st of each year. The campaign aims to acquaint the department’s internal and external customers, with the health risks and adverse social impacts of tobacco use. The UAE University, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain Sports Club, and Al Tawheed School participated in the campaign.
Colonel Khalifa Matar Balquba' Al Humairi, Director of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Department emphasized that the campaign comes in line with the Higher Leadership’s directives to take care of the human being, and maintain his health, being the nation’s real wealth. It also aims to promote the values and objectives of the Ministry of Interior. “This campaign coincides with the U.A.E. celebrations to mark the World No Tobacco Day”, pointed out Al Humairi.
The campaign featured a colorful array of activities and events highlighting the negative health effects on individuals and the community, as well as a photo exhibition by a number of UAE University students. Furthermore, a group of female students from Al Tawheed School presented a theater play on the health risks associated with tobacco use on family. Also as part of the campaign, medical checkups were conducted by a specialist from Tawam hospital to employees and customers, and leaflets and brochures were distributed to customers shedding light on the dangers of smoking cigarettes and midwakh (pipes).
For his part, Mohammed Sultan Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director of the Department gave an address on the occasion, stressingd the need for concerted efforts to fight and eradicate the harmful social scourge of smoking. “The society has a responsibility to educate individuals; and protect them against diseases caused by smoking”, he pointed out.
On the same note, an awareness lecture was organized shedding light on the risks of tobacco use; the diseases associated with the smoking habit; and the importance of quitting smoking to enjoy a healthy life, and to live in a smoke-free environment. The lecture was delivered courtesy of Dr. Hazem Abdel khaleq Hussein, family medicine specialist, from Al Jahili Clinic in Tawam hospital, Al Ain, and the preacher in Al Ain Residency and Foreigners Affairs Department.
At the end of the celebrations, Lt. Colonel Mohammed Sultan honored the entities participating in the campaign, in appreciation of the efforts they exerted to ensure the success of the campaign.