Under the patronage of the Rector of King Khalid University (KKU), Prof. Faleh bin Rajaa Allah Al Solamy, the Deanship of Student Affairs, represented by Guidance and Counseling Center, has today, launched the treatment and awareness campaign of the dangers of smoking. The event took place in the University Lobby and it was directed to university students and employees, under the slogan "Towards a campus free of smoking"

Upon his arrival at the occasion, His Excellency, the Rector, opened the accompanying exhibition. He visited al the pavilions, which in turn demonstrated the effects of smoking and its derivatives, as well as solutions that will help to quit smoking. His Excellency Al Solamy also rode the smoking quitting vehicle, which is provided for those interested in treatment for free by Naqaa Association, in cooperation with the deanship of Student Affairs.

After that, His Excellency the Rector, went to the concert platform, where the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Al-Habash, welcomed him, offering his sincere thanks and appreciation to the sponsorship of the campaign, pointing out its importance in the fight against the scourge of smoking among students of the university.

For his part, the Director of the Guidance and Counseling Center, Prof. Abdullah Al-Dream, gave a welcome word in which he welcomed the Rector and the other attendees, pointing out that the establishment of that campaign came from the university's keenness to keep the environment safe from smoking scourge, which kills our youth. He added that the campaign would continue up to Thursday, the 26^th of this month, to provide people with free treatment services, in addition to daily lectures which will be delivered by a group of employees of the Faculty of Sharia. These lectures will take place at the mosque of the university after noon prayers.

In the same context, a visual presentation was displayed to attendees. In it was presented a brief on Guidance and Counseling Center and the tasks entrusted to it, in addition to its units, which amounted to 45 units that concentrate on steering and guiding students, including anti-smoking Unit "Erada" which receives university students wishing to quit smoking and its derivatives, and which provides treatment for them for free throughout the year.

During the ceremony and within the anti-smoking unit, one of the university students who has already given up smoking, talked about his experience to quit smoking, and about all the stages of his treatment. The student was full of praises for Guidance and Counseling Center, on all remedial services provided to him that contributed to change his lifestyle and to quit smoking.

In turn, the Rector of King Khalid University, His Excellency Prof. Al Solamy, delivered a speech in which he thanked those in charge of the campaign. He said, "I am pleased with what I saw in Guidance and Counseling Center and all affiliated units" adding that smoking scourge is spreading seriously among our children, and that the timing of the campaign at the beginning of the academic year is a good thing. He added, "We hope to achieve progress in the fight against this scourge at the end of the academic year. God willing, there will be no need to activate anti-smoking sanctions." At the end of his speech, His Excellency, the Rector praised the cooperation of Guidance and Counseling Center with Naqaa Association, and with the health Affairs in Asir, thanking those involved in the campaign and all those who arranged it.

The sponsor of the event also honored participants from the university and from outside it with cards to ensure an orphan, in line with the directives of His Highness, the Governor of Asir region, His Royal Highness, Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdul Aziz, to replace the commemorative shields for orphan insurance.

In conclusion, His Excellency, Al Solamy, went to "Erada" clinic to combat smoking. There, he checked out the workflow in addition to that of the headquarter of Guidance and Counseling Center, and a number of Student affairs Deanships Departments, which include Media Unit and the University Restaurant where he took a tour. At those sites, the Rector was briefed on the workflow, and on the food on the menu list. Rector Al Solamy directed the officials of the restaurant to focus on the quality and safety of the foods provided to the students.