NHS health chiefs use Ramadan for Muslims to stop smoking
HEALTH chiefs are using the approach of the Muslim festival of Ramadan to help smokers in London’s East End kick the habit. A campaign has been started by NHS Tower Hamlets to “make Ramadan a good time to stop”
HEALTH chiefs are using the approach of the Muslim festival of Ramadan to help smokers in London’s East End kick the habit.
A campaign has been started by NHS Tower Hamlets to “make Ramadan a good time to stop.”
It has been launched in time for the month-long festival which starts on August 22 when Muslims have to ditch their cigarettes as well as fast each day.
A similar campaign last year saw 1,000 sign up for the Stop Smoking’ pledge, mostly members of Whitechapel’s East London Mosque.
Mohammad Shakir from the mosque explained: “If people are giving up for a month for religious reasons, it is a good way of getting them ready for the lifestyle and to stop smoking.”
Smoking-related diseases account for 22 per cent of all deaths in Tower Hamlets, compared to London’s average of 18 per cent.
