A public campaign to stop smoking is being targeted at east London’s Muslim community by Tower Hamlets health chiefs in time for Ramadan.
Advice sessions are being run at four mosques before the Holy Month starts on May 26 to help smokers kick the habit.
“Quitting before the Holy Month can start reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke,” Tower Hamlets public health director Dr Somen Banerjee said. “Ramadan is a time for abstaining from addictive substances, so advisers are available to offer options on quitting.”
The ‘help’ sessions are being run at four mosques—East London in Whitechapel Road every Thursday, 1-3pm, Brick Lane this Friday 12.30-2.30pm and both Wednesdays 2-3.30pm, Darul Ummah in Shadwell both Tuesdays 12.30-2.30pm and Ford Square in Whitechapel both Fridays 12.30-2.30pm.
Local authority health services have helped more than 2,000 smokers in the East End to quit in the past two years alone.
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