Calls to stop tobacco use by schoolchildren

Several sociologists and educationists have urged the authorities to take firm action against those who bring and sell chewing tobacco to schoolchildren.

Use of chewing or smokeless tobacco, commonly known as ‘sweka,' by schoolchildren has been identified as a major problem in Qatar.

Some experts have also said that parents should be more vigilant about children picking up such a habit.

Use of ‘sweka’ can lead to diseases of the mouth and jaw and, in some cases, cancer of the mouth or throat. Studies show that smokeless tobacco may also play a role in causing other cancers, heart disease and stroke.

Smokeless tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that makes it hard to stop using tobacco once someone starts. But despite its harmful effects, the tobacco is used by many citizens.

Experts say that use of tobacco increases with the start of the academic year in high schools and there is a need to introduce punishment and fines to stop its use by youngsters.

There has been a steady increase in the number of youngsters, particularly high school students, who are addicted to tobacco in various forms, of which ‘sweka’ is the most popular.

The results of a survey suggest that some 15 percent of preparatory and secondary school students in Qatar use ‘sweka’, which is easily available in the local market.

Some students are addicted to both, smoking and chewing tobacco, the survey found.

According to the World Health Organisation’s Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2013, seven percent of Qataris between the ages of 18 and 64 years use smokeless tobacco. The habit prevails among 7.6 percent of the men and 6.1 percent of the women.

Dr Muneera Al Rumaihi, a sociologist, suggests that it is the responsibility of parents to monitor and prevent children from acquiring habits like chewing tobacco.

Khalid Al Suwaidi, a Qatari national, said that wide availability of ‘sweka’ was giving easy access to students. 

“The problem is it is easy to get ‘sweka’; it is cheap and easy to hide, and people don’t show it in their behaviour, that’s why it is widely used among students. Parents should take responsibility for preventing their children from acquiring such habits,” he said.

In a recent report, Al Arab newspaper said that ‘sweka’ was sold in the old neighbourhoods of Doha. Many ‘sweka’ sellers can be seen along the byroads of Old Ghanim and near the National Library roundabout.

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