New smoking cessation clinic launched at Sabah Al-Salem University City

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KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Kuwait Society for Combating Smoking and Cancer has inaugurated a new smoking cessation clinic at the College of Life Sciences in Sabah Al-Salem University City. This launch coincides with the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, reflecting the Society’s commitment to combating smoking through awareness and support initiatives.

During the opening ceremony, Dr. Hessa Al-Shaheen, board member and treasurer of the Society, praised the university administration for its cooperation in establishing the clinic. She emphasized the importance of creating a healthy environment for students and staff, highlighting the severe physical, mental, and social harms of smoking. Dr. Al-Shaheen noted that a similar clinic at the Society’s headquarters reopened in 2021, has successfully increased visitor numbers and helped many quit smoking.

Dr. Al-Shaheen pointed out the aggressive marketing of tobacco products to young people, stressing that the new clinic offers a crucial opportunity for those wishing to quit this harmful habit. The clinic will provide specialized treatments and support, aiming to expand its services within the university city.

Deputy Director of Kuwait University for Planning, Asaad Al-Rashed, acknowledged the collaborative efforts to open the clinic, the first specialized smoking cessation facility at the university. He emphasized the educational role of the clinic in raising awareness about the harms of smoking and thanked all parties involved for their contributions.

Dr. Amal Al-Yahya, head of the Healthy Cities Office at the Ministry of Health, described the clinic as a foundational step toward building a smoke-free society. She noted that Sabah Al-Salem University City is recognized as a healthy university city and that the clinic aligns with the National Anti-Smoking Program under the Ministry of Health. The clinic will benefit from digital follow-up and electronic health records, integrating with 26 primary health care clinics.

Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Society’s Board of Directors, underscored the importance of treating tobacco addiction as a core strategy in anti-smoking programs. He explained that many smokers struggle to quit on their own and highlighted the vital role of support services provided by cessation clinics. The new clinic aims to assist motivated smokers, offer guidance on the health risks of smoking, dispense treatments, and conduct studies to monitor treatment success and influencing factors.

The establishment of this clinic marks a significant advancement in public health efforts to combat smoking, providing essential support to students and university staff committed to quitting smoking.

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