Shisha smoking can transmit infectious diseases, says HMC doctor

On World No Tobacco Day, which is celebrated worldwide on 31^st May, medical experts at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) have warned people about the ill effects of Shisha smoking. According to the doctors it is more dangerous than cigarette smoking and can also lead to spread of infectious lung diseases.

 “We at our Stop Smoking Clinic at HMC receive patients, who are smoking Shisha and have suffered from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis A.  Shisha smoking also leads to more nicotine intake in the body”. Dr. Ahmed Al Mulla, Head of Stop Smoking Clinic at HMC said.

He further stated that people need to know that tobacco chewing is also very dangerous can lead to oral cancer.

Dr. Ahmed stated that this year in Qatar HMC is geared towards upholding the WHO theme, which aims at promoting the convention on tobacco control in the country. The framework offers 32-37 guidelines on stopping commercial advertisement of tobacco and promotion of smoking.

HMC marked the World No Tobacco Day this year, by holding a public awareness campaign and conducting a health camp for visitors at Hamad General Hospital. The event aimed at promoting knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking.

It also gave people a chance to get checked for any lungs, heart or other related ailments, which are caused due to smoking.

The awareness cum health camp was organized by the nurses from the Coronary Care Unit at HGH. Information booth put by the medical staff included a dedicated stand for people to check the level of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in the lungs caused due to smoking. Visitors were also able to get their blood pressure, height and weight checked during the awareness campaign.

As part of the awareness campaign doctors from the Heart Hospital also briefed the patients visiting the Out Patient Department’s about the need to quit smoking and also to protect oneself from inhaling second hand smoke.

Currently HMC through its Stop Smoking Clinic offers initial assessment to smokers. It runs weekly two clinics, where patients both male and female aged 14 years and above are checked for lung functions.

Counseling is offered for patients, who wish to kick the bad habit of smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy through nicotine patch and other medications are offered to patients.

As part of its social responsibility, the Stop Smoking Clinic at HMC also conducts informative talk on a regular basis to school children from across Qatar.