Most Effective Anti-Smoking Campaign ever, and Dubai’s Initiative
A new public service announcement in Thailand has gone viral after being dubbed the most effective anti-smoking campaign ever. Most anti-smoking campaigns use actors, narrators or former smokers to warn people about the dangers of smoking. But the PSA video entitled “Smoking Kid” uses little kids to trick actual smokers into admitting how bad the habit is.
The moving ad was released by the global public relations agency Ogilvy in an attempt to influence some of Thailand’s 13 million smokers to kick the habit. According to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, it has led to a 40 percent increase in traffic on the national “quit smoking” hotline. Take a look at the video…
Almost at the same time here in the UAE a similar initiative has been taken. On June the 14th, The Dubai Health Authority, that it has launched a smoking-cessation helpline. The 24-hour toll-free number 800-123-QUIT (7848), launched in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline will guide smokers on how they can quit smoking.
Many adults know the harms yet continue to smoke
this service is a unique service and that it offers a good opportunity for smokers to raise their queries and concerns via telephone inquiries and discuss ways to quit smoking. The helpline will also provide smokers with details of all the services available at the DHA smoking cessation clinic, which was set up in Al Twar Centre, two years ago.
This initiative is in line with the Tobacco-Free Dubai Project and is as per the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The aim is to provide smokers with support and guidance on how to quit smoking and this support is now only a phone call away. The privacy of the smokers are assured and this may encourage more smokers to come forward and use this service.
DHA join forces with GlaxoSmithKline to help smokers quit
The launch of the helpline coincided with World No Tobacco Day and the event took place at Dubai Mall. Healthcare professionals distributed brochures and leaflets on smoking cessation and carbon monoxide levels of smokers were assessed as part of the screening campaign.
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