Survey finds more youth quitting smoking in Qatar

DOHA: In a positive development, habit of smoking has reduced among the youth in Qatar according to the latest Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).  

The survey has revealed that 12.1% of youth from ages 13 to 15 years smoke tobacco in Qatar. The prevalence of smoking among youth in Qatar was 15 % in 2013 and 17.9% in 2007. It was 20% in 2004. “We are working harder to reduce the prevalence of smoking. We are looking to see a 90 percent non smoking population,” said Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of Public Health Department at MoPH addressing a press conference yesterday.

“The Public Health Department is committed to continue reduce the smoking habit among youth, encourage more youth to seek quitting service, enhance family and community support when it comes to implementing the law and do more researches,” he added.

He also said that once the tax on tobacco products is increased it will become harder for the youth to get the products as the prices become high. Also with more inspections the shops will be under steady surveillance.
GYTS, a component of the Global Tobacco Surveillance system (GTSS), is a global standard for systematically monitoring youth tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) and tracking key tobacco control indicators.

GYTS was conducted in Qatar this year by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). A total of  2,328 Qatari and non Qatari students in grades 7 to 9 responded  to the survey, of which 1,608 were aged 13 -15 years.

Dr Kholod Al Mutawa, Consultant Public Health, Head of Non Communicable Diseases, MoPH and Dr Amani Elkhathatim, Specialist Physician, Non Communicable Diseases also explained about the trends of reflected by the survey.

Among the respondents to the survey, 15.7 % of boys and 8.7% of girls use any tobacco products. It reveals that 6.6% of students smoked cigarettes, while 4.5% used smokeless tobacco.

The survey has also indicated that quitting rate is less than previous years.  According to the law in Qatar tobacco can be sold to only to those above the age of 18.   But Among the respondents to the survey 69.1% cigarette smokers who tried to buy cigarettes were not prevented from buying them because of their age.

“We have regular inspections at the shops but they won’t be able to reach all the supermarkets and small shops regularly. Although, the minimum age to get tobacco products is 18 but some people get it through illegal practices as some of the small shop still keep selling it,” said Dr Elkhathatim. 

“Any violation to the law can be reported the hotline 50302001. Anyone who sells tobacco products to those  below the age of 18 will have to go through the legal process,” she added.  GYTS is conducted in every five years and it was held for the fourth time in Qatar this year.