The Women's Affairs Unit, in cooperation with the Continuing Education Unit and the Educational Guidance Unit at the College of Science, University of Basra, organized a seminar entitled "Smoking During Pregnancy and Its Dangers to Mothers and Fetuses."

The seminar aimed to inform attendees about the health risks of smoking to society in general, and to mothers and fetuses in particular, and its link to fetal death and premature birth.

The seminar, presented by Ms. Hadeer Hassan Ali, a lecturer in the Department of Ecology, included a detailed explanation of cigarette and hookah smoking and their toxic components.

The seminar recommended that the government address the dangers of these practices, which are alien to Basra society, and that it take steps to reduce and restrict them to designated areas, prohibit their use in public spaces, and monitor and hold violators accountable.