RIYADH, 11 April 2005 - A British scientist who received the King Faisal Award for Medicine last night warned that smoking could sap 10 years of one’s life.

Professor Sir Richard Doll, named the joint recipient of the award with Sir Richard Peto of the Clinical Trial Service Unit (CTSU) at Oxford University, said it is time for smokers to quit their habit which erodes their health and advised non-smokers not to start this unhealthy habit which not only kills themselves but also harms others. He stressed that smokers pollute the environment at home, office and public places. Sir Doll won the award for his research on tobacco effect on human health. The duo was picked winners for their pioneering and profoundly valuable epidemiologic research that has unequivocally established the link between tobacco and various diseases, such as vascular diseases and cancer. Describing the nature of his studies, Sir Doll said their impact is so great that several national health policies have been modified as a result of these findings. "The WHO itself changed its position on smoking which culminated in a demonstrable decline in deaths related to cancer and atherosclerotic vascular diseases in several developed countries," he said. "I have received several national and international awards for my achievements but this prize is very special to me since it is highly prestigious and also I deem it a recognition from the Islamic world," Sir Doll said.

<< Prev	CIGoutlet.NET News Home	Next >>