The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) on Friday announced that it would observe Quit Tobacco Day on Ramazan 1, urging all Muslims to abandon tobacco use during the holy month.
PIMA Central President Dr Misbahul Aziz said that about 5.4 million people died every year due to tobacco use globally, including 100,000 Pakistanis according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Further, he informed that second hand smoke killed 600,000 people in the world annually.
He pointed out that about half of tobacco users’ deaths were caused by tobacco-related diseases, explaining that this menace was responsible for cancer, heart and lung diseases, strokes and gangrene. He regretted that despite preventative possibilities, people continued to consume tobacco despite these detrimental effects.
The PIMA president said that tobacco use caused losses worth billions of rupees by way of health expenditure each year, which exceeded the revenue gained.
He declared that Herculean efforts were required to fight this menace, because of which the PIMA had decided to be part of the anti-tobacco campaign.
PIMA’s central executive council decided that in addition to May 31, it would observe Ramazan 1 as National Quit Tobacco Day.
The PIMA president maintained that Ramazan presented a blessed atmosphere in which accepting a good habit and quitting a bad one became relatively easier. Many fasting smokers cut down on their tobacco usage substantially in Ramazan, which is why this period can be used to urge smokers to take another step and quit altogether.
“Smokers should be explained its dangers as well as its status in Islam, which is at least that of ‘makrooh’ (disliked)”, he added.
He said that quitting tobacco was difficult because of its addictive potential; and many smokers needed extensive help and encouragement.
It is expected that because of the special atmosphere in Ramzan, and the sense of discipline it engenders in practicing Muslims, many regular smokers may quit tobacco use, thereby saving many lives and families.
Dr Misbah said that programs and lectures would be arranged in PIMA units, anti-tobacco literature will be distributed and other doctors would be urged to join this activity for maximum success.
