Advanced Strategies for Quitting Smoking in the UAE

The Ministry of Health and Prevention has issued a guide to help healthcare professionals manage tobacco addiction, with the aim of providing psychological support and counselling to individuals who wish to quit all types and derivatives of tobacco, including e-cigarettes.

The guide provides “comprehensive strategies” and detailed steps to manage each stage of tobacco addiction, including behavioral therapies and medications approved by health authorities, for three main categories: individuals seeking to quit smoking, those who do not wish to quit, and former smokers at risk of relapse It also includes details of the “advanced international tests” used to measure nicotine addiction, and highlights the use of technology to assess a smoker’s readiness to quit, as well as the risk of relapse and return to tobacco use.

This guideline places special emphasis on care to prevent relapse, and benefits from the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals and specialists to manage preventive health programs, address health problems associated with tobacco use, and promote healthier lifestyles.

It also aims to enable healthcare professionals to help patients reduce tobacco use, protect society from its risks, and provide support to those wishing to quit by equipping them with the necessary skills.