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Tribune News Network
Doha
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has helped 195 people quit smoking, out of the 604 people who visited the Quit Smoking Clinics at its health centres, during the first three quarters of the year.
The PHCC has stressed that the number is very important, as one in three smokers has succeeded in kicking the habit and keeping off cigarettes for at least six months.
According to PHCC, the age of majority of smokers who visited the clinics is between 18 and 30 years, and between 35 and 40 percent of them have given up smoking.
Dr Wadha al Baker, director of Health Promotion and Wellness at PHCC, said,"Visitors to the Quit Smoking Clinics are first subjected to a comprehensive assessment to determine their readiness to quit smoking. They are then given pharmacological and behavioural treatment, as well as periodic follow-up at the clinics."
In order to help maximum number of people who want to quit smoking, the PHCC has expanded the Quit Smoking Clinics to Leabaib, Al Thayen, Al Gharafa, OBK, Abu baker and Msemier HCs, Dr Wadha said.
She added that the PHCC, through these clinics, is providing a four-step incentive programme for those who wish to quit smoking. As the first step, smokers are told to think of the benefits of a smoking-free life. In the second step, they are encouraged to avoid the temptation of smoking and get support from those around them. The third step is very important, at which they stop smoking and 'always remind themselves of why they have stopped', and follow a different daily routine in the early days. The fourth and last step is the most important: stay as non-smokers for good.
