Overview:
The harmful effects of smoking are very clear and obvious to all people, but - unfortunately - it still kills many lives of adults and children. Saudi Ministry of Health seeks to reduce it and help smokers quit it to preserve their lives, protect them from its diseases, and ensure a healthy, comfortable, and disease-free life for all members of society. The term smoking is not limited to smoking cigarettes only, rather, it includes electronic cigarettes, hookahs, and others.
On May 31 of each year, the world holds an awareness day on the importance of combating smoking in all its forms and raising awareness of its risks that cause diseases and death as well.
Objectives:
- Raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and passive smoking in all its forms.
- Awareness of the dangers of smoking on lung health.
- Debunking myths and deceptive patterns used by the smoking industry.
- Equipping young people with the necessary knowledge to counter marketing schemes that target them.
- Empowering youth to stand against the manipulation of smoking industries.
Facts:
- More than 8 million people worldwide die from smoking.
- 1.2 million people worldwide die each year from passive smoking (living around people who smoke).
- Smoking is one of the most important problems affecting public health.
Official date:
Globally: May 31st, 2023
Locally: Dhu’l Qi’dah 11th, 1444H