MANAH: Al Dakhilyah Governorate launched a community campaign to combat tobacco and electronic cigarettes on Sunday morning under the auspices of Dr Sheikh Faisal bin Ali bin Rashid al Zaidi, Wali of Manah.
The campaign aims to address the harmful effects of psychotropic substances like tobacco and electronic cigarettes on society, including health, social, and economic impacts. These efforts for the campaign are consistent with Oman Vision 2040, which aims to improve the quality of life and people and a better future for Omani society.
Dr Sabrah bint Hamad bin Salim al Awfi, Chair of the Social Committee of the Municipal Council in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, explained that the campaign aims to raise awareness among youth, build a society resistant to psychotropic substances, enhance cooperation between sectors, and implement projects to reduce substance-related harm.
Dr Abdul Rahman bin Sulaiman bin Abdullah al Shehhi, Director General of Social Development in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, gave the opening speech of the campaign. The programme included three working papers the first of which looked at the challenges of this Phenomenon presented by Dr Salim bin Abdullah bin Rashid al Shukaili, a visiting professor at the University of Nizwa.
Dr Salim mentioned that shops that sell tobacco and its derivatives are a danger that is destroying society. "This is the negative issue, and the percentage of smokers is increasing, even in schools," he said.
He said that 80 per cent of those who started smoking are under the age of 17. He stated that school students aged 13 to 15 use tobacco at a rate of 6 per cent of males and 3.9 per cent of females with one in every ten students has previously tried smoking. "The influence of role models and friends in adolescence on children is an important factor in increasing these rates," he said.
The second working paper shed light on the reality of tobacco and electronic cigarettes in the school environment, presented by Saadia bint Muhammad bin Abdullah al Saadi, social guidance supervisor at the General Directorate of Education in Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate. She said, “Although the fine for the trader and seller of e-cigarettes ranges from RO 500 to RO 1,000, there are many who trade them or use these cigarettes."
"The reason is that these cigarettes are sold for a small nominal amount, so students can easily buy them through websites. Also, the shapes and smell of these cigarettes do not suggest that they are cigarettes, so it is easy to trade them," she added.
She stated that a number of e-cigarettes have been monitored in schools, but no statistics have been conducted on the exact number yet. "I advise all parents and officials to educate themselves about these e-cigarettes, communicate with their children, be a role model for a smoke-free home, and set clear limits and rules that prevent their children from handling or consuming them because of their long-term effects," she said.
Dr Mohammad bin Yahya bin Sufyan al Rashidi, from the Department of Endowments and Religious Affairs, presented a working paper entitled Instilling Islamic values and self-control in the souls of children while Nihad bint Ghalib bin Khasib al Rashidi moderated the dialogue session to gather attendees' suggestions for reducing the phenomenon through electronic scanning of barcodes. The proposals will be analysed, and recommendations will be submitted to the authorities.
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