Dubai resident smoked 40 cigarettes a day - a health scare made him quit overnight
Dubai resident smoked 40 cigarettes a day - a health scare made him quit overnight
On World No Tobacco Day, three ex-smokers share life-saving wake-up calls
Ex-smoker Hassan
Smoking: A teenage habit that grew with time
Hassan, a 45-year-old Jordanian expat, began smoking in his teenage years. His habit eventually escalated to two packs a day, as stress and daily routine made cigarettes a constant presence in his life.
Despite being aware of the health risks, he struggled to quit. He tried patches, lozenges, and even switched to vaping, but each attempt ended in relapse.
Frustration grew as even football became too hard
The consequences of long-term smoking soon became impossible to ignore. He experienced frequent wheezing and persistent coughing. The most painful moment came when he found himself unable to join friends for a game of football.
A structured programme helped him quit
Hassan turned to a structured smoking cessation programme at NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah, combining nicotine replacement therapy with lifestyle changes and online support groups. He started walking regularly, joined a gym, and took up swimming.
Six years smoke-free and now giving back
Slowly, his body began to recover. The physical and mental transformation was dramatic. Today, Hassan has been tobacco-free for more than six years. He is 10kg lighter, more active than ever, and passionate about helping others on the same journey.
Dr Ahmed ElMansoury
“There is a marked rise in vaping and e-cigarette use, especially among young people, partly due to perceptions that they are less harmful and easier to access,” Dr Ahmed ElMansoury, Consultant Pulmonologist, NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, said.
“However, these devices also deliver nicotine and can lead to addiction, sometimes serving as a gateway to traditional smoking.”
Read more:
https://gulfnews.com/uae/from-40-cigarettes-a-day-to-smoke-free-dubai-expats-reveal-health-scares-that-made-them-quit-for-good-1.500146978
https://gulfnews.com/uae/from-first-puff-to-lung-cancer-uae-doctors-explain-smoking-addiction-surge-in-vaping-and-how-to-quit-1.500147371
