The College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the United Arab Emirates University organized an awareness seminar recently entitled “Confessions of an ex-smoker”. It was presented by Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al Kaddour, Cardiology Consultant at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, on Sunday 19^th April, 2015 in the theater of the Crescent Building on the Maqam Campus in Al Ain.

Dr. Al Kaddour talked about smoking, and how it spreads in society as well as its social and health consequences. In addition to discussing this he talked about measures that could be taken to create a smoking free environment by raising awareness and intensifying anti-smoking efforts. He mentioned the clinic at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City that seeks to raise awareness in the community. In addition to encouraging smokers to adopt a newer, healthier lifestyle, the clinic can provide a thorough examination and assessment of the appropriate treatment for individuals. He noted the negative effects of smoking on the community and stressed the importance of a concerted effort from government, health, educational and legal institutions to limit this habit, especially in young men.

Rateb Al Oubeidi, a nurse, gave a description of his personal life. He focused on the psychological and physical damage inflicted by smoking before he joined the clinic at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. He stressed that once he stopped smoking he experienced regrets about his past habit.

The Health Education Committee in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences aims, through these campaigns, to raise awareness and discredit erroneous concepts regarding smoking in the UAE. They seek also to address topics with social and health dimensions of interest to the community.