Egyptians seek solace in smoking despite anti-tobacco day скачать в хорошем качестве

Egyptians seek solace in smoking despite anti-tobacco day

As the world observed the annual World No Tobacco Day yesterday, many Egyptians in the capital, Cairo, shrugged off the campaign, which lasts for 24 hours. Residents have sought solace in tobacco smoking as a form of escapism from the nation's plethora of woes since Hosni Mubarak's ouster last year. Lattef Yassin is smoking shisha, or flavored tobacco at an outdoor coffee shop. He is one of many who are frustrated by the staggering economy and volatile political transition from 3 decades of autocratic rule to the military council, amongst other issues. "I will tell you something. The frustration due to the political and economic status and foggy future make it difficult to predict what will happen tomorrow, and all of these would affect any person and distract him away from stopping smoking. But with more stability in the times ahead, I think people will stop smoking," he said. While the rate of smoking in the developed world decreases, it is on the rise in poorer countries, specifically in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. There are others who are more supportive of the WNTD's campaign, which aims to enlighten smokers about the fatal consequences of smoking, like Hany, an engineer. "It is a very good idea, and we must do it once a month rather than once a year. If we try to quit smoking for twelve days a year, it will be good, and I hope to do that," he said. The World Health Organization reports that around six million people die from tobacco related illnesses each year. By Noora Faraj Al Arabiya with Agencies