Dubai, May 27 (IANS/WAM) At least 14 percent of all smokers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are women, and the government has launched a programme to create awareness among women about the ill effects of smoking.

The Dubai Municipality has launched a campaign called "Tobacco-free Women", which will last till May 31, the day observed as "World No-Tobacco Day".

This year, the theme of the "World No-Tobacco Day" is how to control smoking in women, who comprise about 20 percent of the world's total smokers. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has chosen this theme with a focus on women who are targeted by tobacco companies to promote their products.

The campaign aims to create awareness on the effects of passive smoking on women, particularly pregnant women, while focussing on the health of the foetus. It will educate women on the importance of a healthy lifestyle based on healthy food and sports.

Sales of cigarettes will be stopped for 24 hours at petrol stations May 31. People will be offered free medical consultation by gynaecologists, general practitioners and skin experts, including monitoring carbon monoxide levels, and skin, lung and eye tests.