Holy Benefits: ‘Fasting could help you quit smoking’
Physicians claim that fasting during Ramazan could help people quit smoking. They discussed the possibility during a seminar held at the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, Dow University of Health Sciences.
The programme was organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Chest Society, Sindh chapter. Prof. Javed Khan of the Aga Khan University Hospital addressed the gathering and said that some smokers, in their attempts to quit, may suffer withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anger, restlessness and insomnia. He argued that this could be overcome through will power.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2011.
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I was a smoker for about 16 years before I stopped and have stayed stopped now for 3+ years. It was enjoyable,trendy and cool in the beginning, obsessive,compulsive and addictive in the middle and pain and absolute agony towards the end. When the programme of abstinence started, the withdrawal problems were again torturous. But as persistence and perseverance won the day life became easier,simpler and more enjoyable. With due respects to Ramadhan, I did not need any excuse to stop smoking. The deterioration in my health due to smoking and the promise of comfort due to abstinence was more than sufficient incentive to stop. What lead me to it was very clear and rational thinking and the fact that I had no choice but to stop. Towards the end of my smoking days I had the courage to admit to myself that I wasn't enjoying smoking at all and I was doing it habitually. This then lead me to encourage thoughts of stopping and I built positively on that thought to chart out a plan and execute it. Initially, I did waver but soon enough the dependence and urge went and I saw all the time and money lost pursuing this damned addiction. I am happier and richer now. I would strongly advise people to look inside and decide for themselves if they are enjoying what they are doing and if not then to do something about it. It is not difficult. If you dont stop for yourself then you will not stop at all. Good luck.
Ramadan; A month to quit tobacco
According to research, 5,000 smokers are hospitalized each day and over 100,000 die in the country every year due to tobacco-related diseases .In spite of this over 50% of adult population in the country use some form of tobacco. The holy month of Ramadan offers tobacco users a great opportunity to quit this addiction as people refrain from food, drinks and tobacco use from dawn to dusk. Quit Tobacco Day being held on the first of Ramadan throughout the Muslim world. Every year millions of Muslims get rid to tobacco addiction during the month of Ramadan. One of the important benefits of fasting is the sense of discipline that it instills in an individual which can help in avoiding bad habits, especially tobacco addiction. Smoking not only reduces the life expectancy of an individual, but it also affects the quality of life. Tobacco use is the single largest risk factor for lung cancer, heart attacks, and strokes in the country."Various scholars from all over the Muslim world have issued a fatwa that tobacco use is strictly forbidden (haram) in Islam," . Scientific research, has clearly proven that tobacco is not only a powerful addictive substance but also causes serious harm to the human body and is therefore unacceptable on Islamic grounds. Human life is a gift of God and we have no right to destroy it by using harmful substances such as tobacco.
Majority of smokers think about quitting smoking when they suffer from a serious illness like heart attack or cancer. Young people seldom think about of quitting this habit. Owing to nicotine dependency, when tobacco user try to stop its use some smokers may experience withdrawal symptoms, like irritability, anger, restlessness, impatience, insomnia and difficulty concentrating. These nicotine withdrawal symptoms can be easily controlled by will power and by use of certain medicines .In any case most of these withdrawal symptoms last for only 2 weeks or so.
As a physician who sees people die at young age every day from various tobacco related diseases, I am making a humble plea to all tobacco users in the country to quit tobacco use this Ramadan and start a healthy life.
Prof Javaid Khan FRCP(Edin) Aga Khan University