Tower Hamlet tobacco campaign helps users quit before Ramadan

A Tower Hamlets campaign will again be encouraging its residents to kick the habit of smoking in the run up to the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

With less than a month to go, the Quit Right Tower Hamlets initiative has been offering free and friendly advice on stopping smoking or chewing tobacco at various locations.

Scheduled to start on 5th May, fasting during Ramadan is meant to encourage people to start positive habits making it an ideal time to stop tobacco.

As Ramadan is a time for abstaining from addictive substances, quitting before it begins is a great way to kick start your health and benefit from reducing your risk of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke – Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health

Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health said: “As Ramadan is a time for abstaining from addictive substances, quitting before it begins is a great way to kick start your health and benefit from reducing your risk of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.

“Local stop smoking advisers are always available but they will be even more accessible over the next two weeks to offer advice on free services and quitting options.”

Smokeless tobacco, such as chewing substances like ‘sada’ and ‘zarda’, is widely used in the South Asian community with Betel nut and paan leaf.

And though Tower Hamlets is said to have “some of the highest levels of smoking and smokeless tobacco use in London, smoking rates continue to decline”, last year, the council and its partners helped over 1,350 people quit smoking across the borough.

To speak to a health advisor of Quit Right Tower Hamlets in English or Bengali, residents can call 020 7882 8230, or visit the council’s page for information.