Quit Smoking Today

In October 2017, the UAE government introduced a 100 percent excise tax on tobacco products in an attempt to reduce the number of smokers in the country, while calls for a blanket ban on smoking in public places in the Emirates have intensified. Today is the time to kick the habit; here’s how… 

Dr. Iyaad Hasan, a certified tobacco treatment specialist who leads a Smoking Cessation Program at  Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides SMART tips to help you quit in 2018: 

S:Decide on a STRATEGY that you think will help you quit. Remember that treatment plus support doubles your chances to quit. 

M:Be MOTIVATED and make a personal pact with yourself to quit  

A:Become AWARE and identify triggers or times that may cause you to smoke. The more aware you are the better you are to quit.  

R:Identify REASONS why you want to quit. You should quit for you not for anyone else.  

T:TOTALLY TOBACCO FREE is the goal. It’s a journey and you will get there! 

(Credit: Iyaad Hasan, a certified tobacco treatment specialist who leads a Smoking Cessation Program at  Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi)