The Women’s Affairs Unit at the College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, organized an awareness lecture entitled “Smoking and Women’s Health: A Growing Health Burden” on Monday, February 16, 2026. The lecture was held as part of the Unit’s programs aimed at promoting health awareness among the College’s staff and female students.
The lecture addressed several scientific topics, including different forms of smoking, such as conventional smoking, passive smoking, and electronic cigarette use. It examined their adverse effects on women’s health from medical, aesthetic, and reproductive perspectives, as well as their role in accelerating the onset of menopause and the associated health complications.
The lecture also highlighted the major cancers associated with smoking among women, particularly cervical cancer and breast cancer, explaining the pathological mechanisms through which smoking may contribute to increased incidence rates. It further addressed the effects of smoking on weakening the immune system and delaying the response to treatment.
The activity aimed to promote health education and raise awareness of the risks associated with smoking, with particular emphasis on its impact on women’s health, occupational performance, and family and social roles. It also sought to encourage healthy and preventive behaviors that can contribute to reducing the prevalence of smoking.
The organization of this lecture reflects the College of Medicine’s commitment to supporting educational and awareness-raising activities that promote public health and reinforce the principles of prevention as a fundamental pillar in building a healthy and well-informed society.
