Stop smoking for Ramadan

Sep 14 2007 By Tony Deeley, Birmingham Mail

SANDWELL health chiefs are waging war on smoking among the Muslim community - using calendars.

Thousands of calendars are being distributed across the borough during Ramadan - and they include Islamic verses relating to the quitting of smoking.

During the month-long religious festival, which began yesterday Muslims refrain from food, drink and cigarettes during the daytime.

Health workers said today it offered the community a great opportunity to quit smoking, not just during the day,but for life.

They have worked closely with various groups, including the Bangladeshi Health Improvement Group and the Yemeni Community Association, to distribute the calendars.

A letter translated in Bengali is also being delivered to Bangladeshi mosques in Sandwell, encouraging the discussion of issues such as smoking and healthy lifestyles.

Ali Al-Osaimi, community health network manager with Sandwell Primary Care Trust, said: "Smoking is a serious health issue for Asian communities, who suffer high rates of heart disease and respiratory symptoms associated with smoking. "Avoiding smoking is not only healthy but also in keeping with the teachings of Islam, as many Muslim scholars believe smoking is forbidden as it causes such harm to your body.

"Ramadan is a great opportunity to kick the habit for once and for all, and these calendars will be spreading the message throughout the month."

Nurse advisor, Juliet Drummond, said the Sandwell stop smoking service offered Muslims a free and confidential advice on quitting in their own language through an interpreting service.

For more information. call 0800 073 1388 or visit www.stopsmoking sandwell.co.uk."