As part of the series of scientific and awareness-raising activities organized by the College of Law, the University Psychological Counseling Unit, in cooperation with the Continuing Education Unit, held a workshop entitled “The Impact of Smoking on Health.” The workshop addressed the health, psychological, and social risks resulting from smoking within the university and the wider community.

The workshop lecture was delivered by members of the Psychological Counseling Committee: Assistant Lecturer Dr. Saad Abdulwahab, Assistant Lecturer Dr. Maher Hussein, and Assistant Lecturer Dr. Raed Ismail. They introduced students to the harms of smoking and its direct effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, in addition to highlighting the most prominent psychological and behavioral changes observed among smokers, such as stress, anxiety, and reduced ability to concentrate.

During the workshop, it was emphasized that smoking is considered one of the most dangerous behaviors threatening individual health, as it causes serious diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, atherosclerosis, and weakened immunity, in addition to chronic health problems such as asthma and bronchitis. The speakers also addressed the dangers of passive smoking, which affects those surrounding the smoker—especially children and women—causing serious respiratory diseases despite having no role in exposure.

The lecturers further explained that prevention begins with continuous awareness of the harms of smoking and educating students about its short- and long-term risks. Emphasis was placed on the importance of promoting healthy alternatives such as sports and cultural activities, as well as providing psychological and behavioral support for those wishing to quit smoking. They also stressed the role of the family and the university in monitoring smoking-related behaviors and offering appropriate guidance, in addition to the importance of enforcing smoking bans in enclosed spaces within the university campus.

The workshop included interactive interventions from students and faculty members, focusing on the importance of spreading a culture of healthy living within the university and building a safe environment that supports students and encourages them to stay away from harmful behaviors.