08-07-2025
PHCC warns of serious health risks linked to smokeless tobacco use
DOHA: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has strongly warned against the health risks associated with the use of smokeless tobacco, particularly 'Sweika', a substance mistakenly believed by many to be less harmful than smoking.
Sweika, also known as 'Shamma' or 'Tombak', is a harmful habit involving a specially processed form of tobacco often mixed with nicotine and sodium bicarbonate. It is used by placing it inside the mouth for a period before disposal.
Dr Jinan Mohammed Suleiman, a family physician at PHCC, emphasized that Sweika poses serious health threats. "Many people wrongly believe that Sweika is a safer alternative to smoking. In reality, the direct exposure of certain areas of the mouth to tobacco increases the risk of severe health complications, which are not limited to the oral cavity but also extend to the esophagus, colon, pancreas, and bladder, due to the absorption and ingestion of tobacco juices," she said.
Dr Suleiman explained that the use of Sweika is associated with a range of health issues that make it a dangerous practice. Users may experience impaired taste perception, which negatively affects their quality of life. Additionally, it increases the risk of gum inflammation, tartar buildup, and tooth decay, as Sweika facilitates the adherence of plaque to teeth and causes dark discoloration, turning them brown or black.
She further noted that Sweika can lead to elevated blood pressure and narrowing of the coronary blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks. In the most severe cases, its prolonged use has been linked to higher rates of cancers affecting the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, gums, stomach, and pancreas, among the most alarming consequences of this habit.
PHCC has taken proactive steps to support individuals seeking to quit tobacco in all its forms, including smokeless tobacco. It offers specialized tobacco cessation clinics that provide medical consultations and ongoing support from trained physicians. Appointments can be easily booked by calling PHCC's customer service number or through a referral from a treating physician, ensuring accessible and effective medical support.
These clinics offer various treatment options, including behavioral therapy and pharmacological interventions. Among these are nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches, which help maintain stable nicotine levels throughout the day to reduce dependence, and varenicline, a medication that targets specific receptors in the brain to diminish the pleasurable effects of nicotine and support the decision to quit.
PHCC physicians tailor treatment plans based on individual assessments, taking into account the patient's health status and degree of addiction to determine the most appropriate therapy.
