Tobacco Smoking Prevalence, Health Risk, and Cessation in the UAE

Abstract

Objectives Tobacco smoking is a major public health concern and a leading cause of preventable death. We sought to review epidemiological studies available on the prevalence of tobacco use, the associated health effects, and interventions that have undergone evaluation concerning smoking cessation and prevention in the UAE. Methods An electronic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted using appropriate keywords for articles published between 2007 and 2017. We included all English-language articles in addition to research articles on the UAE populations (including both citizens and expatriates). Results Fourteen articles were included, of which 11 were cross-sectional studies, one was a cohort longitudinal study, one was quasi-experimental, and one case-control study. Our results suggest that current smoking prevalence estimates vary widely. This is the first study in the region to review the smoking prevalence, health risk, and interventions in the UAE. Conclusions UAE Government demonstrated excellent efforts by raising the cost of smoking through taxation, mounting sustained social marketing campaigns, and ensuring that health professionals routinely advise smokers to stop smoking accompanied by behavioral and pharmacological support for cessation. Hence, future research should be more focused on evaluating the outcome and impact of current anti-smoking campaigns.

Retrospective study on clinical efficacy of Evolocumab in highrisk ASCVD patients

“…Due to government led programs to curb the smoking rates in the UAE currently, the prevalence of smoking in UAE is less compared to other countries in the Middle East. 14 Studies show that lipid lowering plays and important role in the control of ASCVD risk. The patients in this study would benefit from significant lipid lowering therapy to reduce their risk of ASCVD.…”

Sociodemographic determinants of prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain: The Mutaba'ah study

“…[14][15][16] Studies in the UAE have shown that approximately two-thirds of Emirati women were classified as overweight or obesity; however, these cross-sectional designs were unable to elucidate the risk factors for weight gain. 17,18 Due to the cultural practices and religious beliefs of women in the UAE, the prevalence of tobacco smoking 19 and alcohol consumption is extremely low. 17 However, a birth cohort of Emirati and Arab women in the UAE reported that more than half of women with overweight or obesity, and almost three-quarters of pregnant women had inadequate and excessive GWG.…”