Dr Ahmad Al Mulla, Senior Consultant of Disease Control and Director of the Tobacco Control Center at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), warned against ‘electronic’ smoking using e-cigarettes and e-hookahs. The HMC Tobacco Control Center is a World Health Organization Collaborating Center.
He said that these two items are illegal to market and sell in Qatar under Law No 10, issued in 2016. Dr Al Mulla said that smoke coming out of electronic cigarettes contains toxic chemical substances that may cause harm to users.
He said that electronic cigarette smoking is not an alternative way to quit smoking. It has no scientific references and is not approved as a smoking cessation aid by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Allowing electronic cigarette smoking in some countries resulted in negative consequences such as an increased prevalence of smoking in the community, especially among younger age groups.
The HMC Tobacco Control Center continues to monitor global studies and research on this type of smoking as well as experiences in other countries. According to Dr Al Mulla, based on the studies conducted by the centre, the prevalence of electronic cigarette use among tobacco users in Qatar is around 11%.
Tobacco Cessation Specialist Dr Jamal Ba Suhai said users mistakenly thought that electronic cigarette smoking is either a safe alternative to traditional smoking or an easier way to quit smoking.
However, he said that based on their experience, users suffered from many problems, including increased consumption. This is because electronic cigarette smoking is easier to use and enables a higher intake of toxic nicotine and other chemical substances.
Dr Ba Suhai advised people who wish to quit smoking to seek help from the HMC Tobacco Control Center as well as counselling and support from their highly trained team.
For more information or to book an appointment, call any of these numbers – 4025 4981 or 5080 0959.
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