As the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan begins on the 24th September, Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service is urging smokers to use the contemplation time as a trigger to stop smoking for good, and for family and friends of smokers to encourage them in their efforts to quit.
Ramadan is a time when Muslims abstain from food, drink and for those who smoke, cigarettes, during daylight hours, making it the ideal time to give up smoking once and for all.
Research has shown that both men and women in Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian communities have much higher death rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) than the rest of the population partly due to higher smoking rates amongst Asian men in these communities. Around 42% of Bangladeshi males, 21% of Indian males, and 24% of Pakistani males are addicted to smoking.
Zahra Velji, a Sheffield Stop Smoking Service Adviser, said: “During this time of contemplation, we would encourage all smokers to quit smoking, and stay quit for good. I am very proud of my father, a dedicated Muslim who has successfully stopped smoking with the expert support from the Stop Smoking Service. He believes that staying stopped is important in practicing Islam, and being a responsible dad and respected member of the community.
The rewards of stopping smoking are huge, not only will you improve your health, and those around you, but reduce the risk of diseases, including cancers of the lung, bladder, kidney and stomach but you’ll also save money, and live on average sixteen years longer.
For smokers who want to quit, the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service provides free and confidential support and advice on the best ways to stop smoking for good. The Service offers very effective stop smoking programmes in a variety of formats, which are available at a range of locations throughout the city. All programmes include the offer of nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, on NHS prescription.
Advice is also available in community languages from the NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline: Urdu (0800 169 0881), Punjabi (0800 169 0882), Hindi (0800 169 0883), Gujarati (0800 169 0884), Bengali (0800 169 0885). All lines are open every Tuesday from 1.00pm to 9.00pm.
Stop Smoking Advisers who speak a number of community languages are also available.
For more information about the Sheffield Stop Smoking Service, call Freephone 0800 068 4490, or visit the website: www.sheffieldstopsmoking.org.uk.
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