Pfizer Holds an Anti-Smoking Workshop for Al-Kawn

Published July 5th, 2009 - 10:45 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

On the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day, and inline with its continuous efforts to raise awareness on smoking-related issues, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals conducted a specialized anti-smoking workshop on smoking and the latest breakthrough in smoking cessation methods for Al-Kawn and Al-Faridah staff members.

The workshop was held at the Sheraton-Amman Hotel and hosted Dr. Feras Hawari, Chief, Section of Pulmonary / Adult Care Department, and Director of Smoking Cessation Program at King Hussein Cancer Center, and was attended by a number of employees, radio presenters, editors and journalists from Al-Faridah for Specialized Publications (home for Layalina, Ahlan, JO, VIVA, Venture, U Magazine, U Men, OC, Majaletna), and Al-Kawn (Radio Fann, Radio Rotana, Amen FM and Energy Radio).

Dr. Feras Hawari gave a record of the damages caused by smoking and the major health problems associated with it, highlighting the fact that the number of smokers in Jordan is increasing, and shedding light on the importance of working cooperatively to raise public awareness and fight this deadly epidemic.

On their behalf, media representatives from Al-Kawn and Al Faridah Group stressed on the importance of this workshop as being a real opportunity for them to learn more about tobacco-related facts and the latest statistics/scientific information, which in turn helps them relay the message by spreading awareness and enlightening the public.

During the workshop, Pharmacist Shireen Al-Farah from Pfizer introduced Champix® - the first nicotine-free treatment and the latest new prescription drug approved for smoking cessation in nearly a decade, explaining that it comes in tablet form and works by blocking nicotine from binding to the receptors in the brain.
Commenting on this interactive workshop, Mr. Zaki Kasmo, Market Manager – Pfizer Jordan said: “We strongly believe that media play a fundamental role in empowering the public; our cooperation with these leading media institutions comes in line with our efforts to spread awareness about the dangers of smoking, the advantages of quitting, and ways to overcome this addiction.”

The workshop was concluded by carrying out a CO test for attendees (in cooperation with Lina Creative and Development Group – Anti-Smoking Team) to measure the level of Carbon Monoxide in their body, in addition to collecting signatures for the ‘Youth Against Tobacco’ petition that will be handed to the World Health Organization.