Muslims are being encouraged to quit smoking during Ramadan.
NHS Manchester’s Stop Smoking Service is offering support for people who want to quit smoking or using tobacco products and enjoy a smokefree Ramadan, which starts on Saturday (22 August).
During the 30 days of Ramadan, Aurangzaib Amirat, a specialist stop smoking advisor, will be visiting the following Mosques to provide one-to-one support for anyone ready to quit:
- Dar-us-Salam Mosque, 47 Slade Lane, Longsight M13 0QJ
- Victoria Park Mosque, 20 Upper Park Road, Victoria Park, M14 5RU
- Al Quba & Shah Poran Mosque, 109-115 Beresford Road, Longsight, M13 0TA
- Makki Mosque, 125 Beresford Rd, Longsight, M13 0TA
- Madina Mosque, 2 Barlow Road, Levenshulme, M19 3DJ
- Al Furqan Mosque, 42 Great Southern Street, Rusholme, M14 4EZ
Quitting smoking or using tobacco products isn’t always easy, but support from an NHS specialist advisor can help make the fresh start to a smokefree life.
Bashir Ahmed is one of many people who received support from an advisor who visited a mosque in Manchester during Ramadan 2008.
After smoking for over 25 years, Bashir has gone smokefree.
He had tried to quit during Ramadan when he received information from Aurangzaib, but was not quite ready. Instead he kicked the habit when he was admitted into hospital last December.
Bashir said: "I was not allowed to smoke for three days while I was in hospital. On the fourth day I thought; if I managed not to smoke for three days then maybe I’ll try four, then I tried 5 days and I’ve not smoked since.
"I used to smoke a lot of cigarettes when I broke my fast each day, so I would not have any cravings while I was fasting. But now my whole life has changed since I’ve quit – my chest is clearer, I can concentrate and I don’t get terrible headaches. I am really looking forward to a smokefree Ramandan this year.
"I want to help people realise that smoking is bad for their health. Ramadan is a really good time to take advantage of the support offered to stop smoking."
Smoking tobacco is a cause of many diseases, including cancers, heart disease, respiratory diseases . Smokeless tobacco is a cause of cancer of the mouth, lips, tongue and betel nut is also associated with serious pre-cancerous condition. When tobacco is chewed by pregnant women it can reduce the growth of their unborn babies.
People from Parkistani, Bangladeshi and Indian Backgrounds have around a 50 per cent higher risk of heart disease than the UK population as a whole.
Abbie Paton, Manchester Stop Smoking Service Tobacco Lead said: "Ramadan provides an opportunity to receive support to stop smoking and enjoy a healthy smokefree Ramadan."
For dates and times of the mosque visit, or for help and advice to stop smoking or chewing tobacco call Manchester Stop Smoking Service on 0161 205 5998.
