‘Warning pictures’ on cigarette boxes

KUWAIT: Cigarette boxes sold in Kuwait will bear warning pictures starting from tomorrow (Thursday) as per Ministry of Commerce and Industry instructions, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday.

“This decision comes in line with standards of the Gulf Cooperation Council which indicate that tobacco boxes must show warning pictures and written warnings”, said Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Dr. Qais Al-Duwairi in a press statement. “Adding the pictures is an important step to increase public awareness about the dangerous of smoking and the destructive effects of this habit on public health”.

Implementing this plan through coordination between the MOH and the MCI comes also as part of Kuwait’s commitment towards the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, A-Duwairi added.

The MOH carries out through the National Antismoking Program multiple activities to increase awareness about smoking hazards, and help smokers quit smoking through specialized clinics around Kuwait. The ministry also works in coordination with other state departments to implement the state law that bans smoking in public places, and raise attention to diseases caused by smoking through social networks. “The MOH gives top attention to tackling chronic non-infectious diseases and smoking, being a top developmental priority and commitment in front of ht international community”, Al-Duwairi said.

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