The UAE Ministry of Health (MOH), in coordination with Novartis Consumer Health, has established two new Smoking Cessation Clinics in Dubai.

The new clinics are at Al Ittihad Health Centre in Jumeira and another in Ras Al Khaima.

The project aims at encouraging all smokers to quit the hazardous habit.

All registered members will be provided with a comprehensive personalised smoking cessation plan, free medical advice and free treatment on how to quit smoking and general physical checkups by the doctors at the beginning of the three-month long programme.

Appropriate and effective treatment is also offered, along with educational awareness material highlighting the negative impact of smoking and the importance of quitting. The goal is to assist smokers in achieving a fresh start towards a tobacco-free lifestyle.

'The objective of establishing this clinic is to provide the necessary services accompanied with educational information and awareness to help smokers who want to quit the habit but do not know how to start off achieving this goal,' said assistant under-secretary for Public Health and Primary Health Care at the MOH Dr Mariam Matar.

For appointments and further information, clients can contact the clinic on 04-3421005. The clinic is located behind the Emarat Atrium building on the Jumeira Road. You can also call Ras Al Khaima center at 07-2337333 for further information and bookings.

Once registered, the client will undergo a series of medical tests. A smokerlyser is one of the tests performed where the carbon monoxide levels in the smoker's breath is measured and the smoking addiction level is evaluated.

The Smokerlyzer has been used as an assessment test for smokers in many previous campaigns held in various malls in the UAE by Novartis and proven successful.

More doctors will be dedicated to offering services at the clinic to those in need. Comprehensive training courses will be organised in the near future by the MOH for specifically nominated medical doctors on how to operate special Smoking Cessation Clinics (SCC) in other emirates in order to ensure expansion of this service. Trade Arabia News Service