New Tobacco Tax Helps Smokers Get Rid Of This Habit

It is encouraging to note that the 100% excise tax introduced on tobacco products as of January 1 of this year in Qatar has resulted in a marked increase in the number of people who quit smoking, as is the case in the United States. revealed a senior official of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) last week.
As Dr. Ahmad al-Mulla, head of the HMCS tobacco control center, pointed out, this new tax has led many people to rethink smoking. Although there is no specific data yet, the number of calls received via the quitline hotline has increased dramatically. When talking to doctors, people revealed that it was because of rising prices, especially those who smoke more than one pack a day, young people and low-income workers, explained the Dr. Al-Mulla.
The Tobacco Control Center has recorded 4,000 visits in 2018 and the number of people seeking to quit is increasing after awareness campaigns. Of these, 30 to 35% stopped smoking. One person makes at least three to five visits as part of the smoking cessation program. If they stop smoking for six months, it's considered a habit. Those who smoke 20 to 30 cigarettes a day are generally considered heavy smokers. Since cigarette prices have doubled, many heavy smokers have been forced to reduce the number of daily smokers. Some have gone from a pack of 20 to three or four, in the hope of getting rid of it completely.
According to Dr. al-Mulla, patients attending the clinic receive personalized advice and a nicotine replacement or appropriate pharmaceutical support. Patients also undergo a full badessment, including a complete medical history and related badessments, such as pulmonary function tests. Medications are prescribed to the majority of people and psychological interventions are done to change the lifestyle. As noted by Jamal Basuhai, a smoking cessation specialist at HMC, while most people who go to the clinic smoke cigarettes, some smoke shisha, and others chew on several substances. smoking. Some also smoke electronic cigarettes and shisha.
It is scientifically proven that non-smokers are also affected by tobacco smoke. "Second-hand smoke can harm children and others. It's really dangerous. In our awareness-raising activities, we emphasize this, "said Dr. Basuhai. There is also second-hand smoke consisting of nicotine residues and other chemicals left on the interior surfaces by tobacco smoke. People are exposed to these chemicals by touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in these areas. What's worse is the residual nicotine and other chemicals can stay on surfaces for a long time, spreading the harmful effects. Even if there is only one person who smokes in the office or at home, this person can harm the health of his colleagues or family members who do not smoke. A smoker who talks to a non-smoker can transmit many toxic substances from the air that he exhales.
On the occasion of National Sports Day tomorrow (Tuesday), the Tobacco Control Center will organize awareness-raising activities in Katara about its services and how to access them. Experts will also measure the carbon monoxide and lung volume of smokers and advise or refer them to the tobacco control center if necessary. But much remains to be done, especially since it is understood that some smokers have opted for the cheapest cigarettes. As suggested by a non-smoker, the only option is to increase the minimum price of tobacco products and make them unaffordable for the vast majority of smokers.