KUWAIT: In line with the approval of Faiha as a healthy city in Kuwait, the National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (CAN) and the Kuwait Society for Preventing Smoking and Cancer (KSPSC) launched the contest “Health Without Smoking” in Faiha under the patronage of Faiha Mayor Mohammad Al-Hawas. KSPSC Chairman Dr. Khalid Al-Saleh said that eight diwaniyas agreed to participate in the event. The contest is aimed at establishing healthy diwaniyas that are free from the harmful effects of smoking.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the “smoking pandemic” is one of the major health threats to the public around the world, as it kills more than eight million people each year. Also, more than seven million deaths are due to direct smoking, while 1.3 million deaths are as a result of passive smoking, which places responsibility on all to prevent smoking in closed areas, including diwaniyas, which is an integral part of Kuwaiti society’s tradition.

Dr. Khalid Al-Saleh said the initiatives will help in implementing the law banning smoking in closed areas. There are more than 30 elements in tobacco that cause cancer, and smokers are 22 times more likely to get cancer. “Lung cancer is linked to smoking,” he said, adding that the initiative will continue through the year in other areas.