13 May 2018 – 11:17
The Peninsula
Doha: With an aim to increase awareness about the impact of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke on health, the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) recently held a competition. ‘Decide…We are with you’ competition was held as part of the World No Tobacco Day, which falls on May 31, and its winners were announced at a ceremony on Thursday.
The contest aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco and emphasis the importance of quitting smoking was held under three categories of people school students, university students and state institutions.
“We at the Qatar Cancer Society always conduct activities to increase awareness about the most prevalent cancers in the country. Tobacco use and smoking is main cause for lung cancer.
“This competition was designed to reach all individuals in the community including schools, universities and government entities about the importance of stopping passive and active smoking,” Rahaf Wasfi, Health Educator, at the Qatar cancer Society told media persons.
The winners received cash and commemorative prizes. A group of five students aged between 6 and 12 from the Pearl School’s Thumama Campus who contested in the primary category won the first place.
“In a series of drawings our students depicted all dangers that can be caused by tobacco use and smoking. It was a good opportunity given by the Qatar Cancer society for the students to learn about the dangers of tobacco use and also showcase their creative talent,” said Thulasi Damodaran, Activity Coordinator, at the Pearl School.
Topics of the competition revolved around harmful effects of tobacco, ways to combat smoking and tobacco, quitting smoking, smoke-free society at individual level, smoke-free society at community level and dangers of passive smoking.
