du seeks to promote healthy living on World No Tobacco Day with Health Text service 'Quit Smoke'

Countries around the globe mark World No Tobacco Day (May 31^st) with the aim of encouraging people to improve their health and well being, and ultimately quit smoking. For people in the UAE who wish to stop smoking du recently launched Quit Smoke, as part of its Health Text service, a bouquet of SMS text based service that provides tips, suggestions, factoids and advice for leading a better and healthy lifestyle. Quit Smoke, which has been well received by customers since its launch, provides text messages and tips that motivate and prompt them to perform day to day actions that will help them quit smoking. The service sends daily SMS messages with hints, tips, information and alerts to help smokers stay focused on quitting, and on dealing with cravings, urges and withdrawal symptoms, as well as tips and hints to avoid triggers and remain smoke-free. 

The service is available in both English and Arabic language. du mobile customers can subscribe to Quit Smoke service by simply texting SUB QS (SUB QSA for Arabic) to 5544. Once subscribed, customers start receiving three Quit Smoke tips per day. For a small fraction of the cost of a pack of cigarettes, (only AED1 per day), subscribers can get assistance to help them stop smoking and develop long-term smoking avoidance habits. Quit Smoke is eight week programme and can be renewed in additional eight-week periods. 

“I recently started the Quit Smoke 8 week programme and have found the tips extremely helpful in my journey to quit smoking, especially dealing with the cravings and urges one feels when they first give up smoking,” commented Hasan  Aloufee, du customer who subscribed to the service. 

“World No Tobacco Day provides people with an opportunity to kick start their quest to stop smoking, and we hope to help in that process with our Quit Smoke service. People in general are becoming increasingly conscious of health and wellness, and as a telecom service provider we can leverage our network - the fastest network in the region, and our growing customer base of over 4.6 million mobile active customers, to act as an interface between our health conscious customers and their chosen health care providers – and thus promote healthy living,” said Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du. 

Quit Smoke is part of du’s Health Text service, one of the pillars of its Smart Health strategic mobile health initiative to connect customers and the healthcare ecosystem through innovative services, smart networks and technology. Available in the UAE, the Health Text service - in association with PurpleTeal Inc., a US based health services and content provider, is a bouquet of SMS text based tips, suggestions, factoids and advice for leading a better and healthy lifestyle. Besides Quit Smoke, du mobile customers can now also subscribe to services like Live Welland Lose Weight - and receive text messages that inform, motivate and prompt them to lead healthier lives. Two additional products have been launched recently; Her Health and Pregnant Tips, which are designed to deliver relevant information on women’s health related areas and aid expectant mothers in having a safe and comfortable pregnancy.