Beirut, June 7, 2022: Marking World No Tobacco Day, the American University of Beirut (AUB), the Knowledge Hub on Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking (KH-WTS), and the Tobacco Free Initiative of Lebanon (TFI)–in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO)–organized an event to discuss the damaging effects of tobacco use on the health of individuals, the wellbeing of communities, and the environment. Conducted on June 4,2022 under this year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) theme “Tobacco: Threat to Our Environment,” the symposium aimed at warning participants about the serious dangers of smoking habits and of using any tobacco product—whether it be conventional cigarettes, waterpipe, cigars, heated tobacco products, or e-cigarettes—and their impact on environment.
The event, which took place at the Halim and Aida Academic and Clinical Center (Daniel ACC), American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), witnessed the participation of Dr. Arafat Tfayli, professor of clinical medicine, as a keynote speaker and representing Minister of Public Health Firass Abiad. A host of Lebanese parliament members, distinguished guests, AUB and AUBMC leaders and supporters attended the event and extended their support to the initiative.
Highlighting the dangerous use of tobacco, which leads to nicotine addiction and exposure to toxins and carcinogens, the symposium speakers stressed on the importance of understanding that a safe tobacco product does not exist and never will exist. They also urged people not to be lured by the attractiveness of tobacco products, be it waterpipes or the recently introduced vaping products such as heated tobacco products or e-cigarettes, as all products are dangerous to the smokers’ health and to the health of those around them.
Furthermore, tobacco use leads to a number of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Each year, around 8 million individuals lose their lives because of tobacco consumption, making it a major underlying cause of death in many countries, including Lebanon. Moreover, the high prevalence of tobacco consumption in Lebanon is both impacting the health of the individual and becoming an economic burden on the country.
Director of AUB Health and Wellness Center and Tobacco Cessation Specialist Dr. Maya Romani said, “This year, World No Tobacco Day focuses on how tobacco threatens the environment we live in. On this occasion, we call on the government and policymakers to enforce the implementation of Law 174, which bans smoking in all indoor public spaces and bans advertisements, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products. We call for stepping up legislation to make producers responsible for the environmental and economic costs of dealing with tobacco waste products.
AUB Professor of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Isaam Bashour stressed on the importance of growing alternative crops to tobacco in Lebanon. “Although growing tobacco in Lebanon reduces the import of tobacco and provides some people with limited income, it still has many disadvantages on the growers and the environment. Growers with their families work hard to receive a minimal wage only. And, at the same time, families and workers are exposed to nicotine toxicity. As a result, farmers are advised to grow other crops such as zaatar, saffron, sesame, peanuts, and corn. A successful system was suggested to plant saffron and zaatar, and, at the same time, produce honey in the same fields. With this suggested system, farmers can at least double their income and improve their quality of life and livelihood. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, and it was proven to be grown successfully in Lebanon”, he explained.
Director of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Knowledge Hub for Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking Dr.Ghazi Zaatari, in his turn, said, “The so-called emerging vaping products, such as heated cigarettes and e-cigarettes, are toxic, carry risk to health and perpetuate addiction to nicotine. Do not succumb to the false and unsubstantiated claims of the tobacco industry about their reduced harm. Unfortunately this industry sets its financial interest above that of public health, including that of youth.”
President and Co-Founder of Tobacco Free Initiative Lebanon, Ms. Nadine Kayrouz El-Krab added, “I would like to thank AUB for the passion and perseverance you have been investing since years in the tobacco control. These are probably the values that unite us with Tobacco Free Initiative, making us partners since 20 years fighting together for this mission.TFI Lebanon has been created in year 2000 following a personal experience, and has been focusing on awareness and empowerment among youth, in addition to the important contribution we have brought to Law 174 voting and enforcement. More than ever, we believe at TFI that it is a priority today to pursue our work in schools and universities, aiming to build a smoke free country based on a new generation with healthy and constructive values, in order not to let them sink in the depressive situation through which Lebanon is going through.”
AUB Professor of Chemistry Najat Saliba said, “Nargile smoking adds to the environmental damages through the heavy use of disposal plastic tubes.”
In his word, keynote speaker Dr. Tfayli agreed with the previous speakers about the importance of tobacco control in the country. He announced the plans underway for a National Cancer Plan that will address various aspects of cancer care, most importantly, cancer prevention and control. This will include a coordinated effort between various governmental agencies, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
This year’s theme “Tobacco: Threat to Our Environment” was selected based on many environmental factors, a few of which include: 200,000 of hectares cleared each year to allow for tobacco growing, and, according to WHO, 600 million trees are cut each year for this purpose. Emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is estimated to be 84 million tons; each cigarette emits 14 gm of CO2 which contributes to global warming. Growing tobacco farms consume an estimated 22 billion tons of fresh water; each cigarette consumes 3.7 liters of water. Cigarette butts, filters, microplastics, and e-cigarette waste contribute to environmental pollution. In many countries, such waste accounts for 25-30 percent of coastal and urban clean ups. It takes years for this waste to disintegrate.
Several speakers emaphsized the importance of reinforcing the existing tobacco control laws in the country and instating new regulations to protect the individuals, particularly the youth, and the environment from the usage of conventional and emerging tobacco and nicotine products.
AUB has always been considered as a leader in tobacco control across the Middle East. It has a number of scholars in all its faculties studying the science and impact on health of tobacco and nicotine products and advocating abstension from their usage; it was the first university to declare a tobacco free campus in Lebanon and the region. Many of its faculty members contributed to drafting Lebanon’s Law 174 on tobacco control, building a better future and a healthier life for the upcoming generations.
About AUB
Founded in 1866, the American University of Beirut bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal arts model of higher education. A teaching-centered research university, AUB has more than 900 full-time faculty members and a student body of about 9,500 students. AUB currently offers more than 140 programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, MD, and PhD degrees. It provides medical education and training to students from throughout the region at its Medical Center that includes a full-service 365-bed hospital.
Stay up to date on AUB news and events. Follow us on:
Website: www.aub.edu.lb
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aub.edu.lb
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AUB_Lebanon