Doha, Qatar: All smokers and users of tobacco and nicotine products have been urged by the Tobacco Control Centre at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to benefit from the holy month of Ramadan and use it as an opportunity to give up smoking forever.
Dr. Ahmed Al Mulla, Director of the Tobacco Control Centre — a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre for treating tobacco dependence — stressed that fasting is a great way for smokers to overcome their addiction to tobacco and nicotine products.
He emphasised that avoiding smoking for extended periods of time during the day strengthens the self-discipline required to stop smoking and reduces both psychological and physical dependence on nicotine.
“The centre reports a noticeable yearly increase in the number of smokers attempting to quit during Ramadan, and the therapeutic interventions whether behavioural or medicinal, can greatly increase the chances of successfully stopping permanently,” Dr. Al Mulla noted.
Dr. Jamal Bashi, Smoking Cessation Specialist highlighted the importance of avoiding habits and behaviours that trigger the urge to smoke, such as consuming stimulants or spending time in environments that encourage smoking.
He also suggested participating in social and religious activities, drinking plenty of water, using sugar-free gum in the evening, and using miswak during the fasting hours.
“Withdrawal symptoms from smoking typically appear only during the first week of Ramadan and that most smokers can overcome them without medical intervention.
However, the Tobacco Control Centre offers medical help to those who have trouble in stopping smoking,” Dr. Bashi added.
Additionally, Dr. Bashi warned against certain harmful behaviours that smokers tend to practice during Ramadan, which can be extremely dangerous to their health. Among these is smoking heavily after breaking fast which raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes and can result in a sudden rise in blood pressure.
Furthermore, smoking more cigarettes in the evening increases nicotine addiction, making it more difficult to stop after Ramadan.
According to Dr. Al Mulla, HMC’s Tobacco Control Centre offers a wide range of treatments to assist smokers in quitting.
These treatments, which are provided through specialized programs that have been scientifically proven to be successful in assisting patients on their path to quitting smoking, include behavioural therapy, medication-based treatment, and laser therapy.
Since its establishment, the centre has successfully treated thousands of smokers, reducing the health and economic burden on smokers, their families, and the healthcare system.
The centre encourages all individuals looking to quit smoking to take advantage of its services during the holy month and book an appointment by calling 40254981 or 50800959.
