Tobacco users may get rid of addiction in Ramazan

Rawalpindi

It is easier for a smoker or tobacco user to quit addiction while fasting in the holy month of Ramazan than in routine months because fasting has a great impact on body and soul and fasting enhances will to refrain from bad habits.

Health experts say that various surveys have shown that nearly 70 per cent of smokers and tobacco users think of quitting this habit again and again in life but they cannot do so because of their addiction to nicotine and weak will. The most important predictor of quitting smoking is making a sincere effort to quit it and it should be done in Ramazan.

Psychologists believe that cessation of addictions like smoking and tobacco use depends upon the will power of a person and according to health experts; this may be done preferably in the month of Ramazan in which Muslims develop strong spiritual and physical will power to correct them and to remove their weaknesses. Tobacco use in Pakistan has become a serious public health threat in the last few years and addiction is continuously on the rise. Studies reveal that well over 80 per cent of cases of fatal lung cancer in the country are caused by the use of tobacco. The country has well over 25 million smokers and the number of deaths that can be attributed to smoking in the country is around 100,000 per year. The persons who smoke are at a chance of suffering from lung cancer 22 times more than non smokers.

According to Head of Community Medicine at CMH Lahore Medical College Professor Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry, the first of Ramazan should be observed as National Quit Smoking Day and one should make the firm intention from the depth of heart to give up this evil habit in Ramazan. Referring to Quran, he said “Trust in Allah’s words “-- when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, for Allah loves those who put their trust in Him”--- (Surah Al-Imran 3:159).”

He said when all ‘ulema’ agree that smoking is haraam (totally forbidden), then why a Muslim uses a haraam substance during the holy month of Ramazan. Allah says “--- make not your hands contribute to destruction---”. (Sura Al-Baqra 2;195), “--- not kill yourselves--”(Surah Al-Nisah 4:29), he said.

Dr Ashraf said that just 20 minutes after quitting smoking, your heart rate drops, 12 hours after quitting smoking, carbon monoxide (poisonous gas) levels in your blood drops to normal. Two weeks to three months after quitting smoking, your heart attack risk begins to drop and your lung function begins to improve. One to nine months after quitting, your coughing and shortness of breath decrease. One year after quitting, your added risk of coronary heart disease is half of a smoker’s. Five to 15 years after quitting, your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker. Ten years after quitting smoking, your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s. Your risk of cancers of mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases. Fifteen years after quitting smoking, your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a non-smoker’s, he said. To a query, he said once you have taken decision of quitting smoking and started following it, you should avoid relapses as most of the relapses occur within the first three months. Avoid situations in which you were habitual of smoking. Drink plenty of water and juices and avoid boring situations. Stay busy, active and do regular walk or exercise. Get more sleep. Take deep breaths when cravings hit. Do something to reduce your stress. Take a bath, read a book or exercise. Learn what triggers your desire for cigarettes for example morning routine, coffee, tea, the end of a meal, arrival at work, sitting in a car, entering restaurant, company of smoker friends, emotions such as stress, anxiety, boredom and celebration and avoid these triggers, suggested Dr. Ashraf. He said that all forms of tobacco – cigarettes, pipes, cigars, Hubble Bubble (‘huqqa’ or ‘sheesha’), smokeless tobacco (‘niswar’ or snuff, tobacco pan), and filtered, light, mild or low tar cigarettes – are hazardous.