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20 per cent youths between 13 and 18 ages are smokers, says top cardiologist 

Prevalence of smoking in Oman among students between the ages of 13 and 18 is as high as 20 per cent and between 23 per cent and 25 per cent among adults, a top private sector health official said yesterday.

Quoting Ministry of Health figures, Dr K. P. Raman, cardiologist and medical director of Al Hayat Polyclinic, said: "The MoH statistics state that a survey done in schools showed that the prevalence of smoking is as high as 20 per cent in students aged 13 and 18 and in adults, the estimated prevalence is between 23 and 25 per cent."

Dr Raman said that Oman was taking many steps to discourage people from smoking. "Some of the steps that they have taken include: Health education to the public, banning smoking in public places, monitoring the advertisements in the right manner, taxing the tobacco product and making it expensive to the public."

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