Published at 18 April, 2019 15:22.
Yorkshire Smokefree is encouraging our region’s Muslims observing Ramadan to harness the willpower and determination they use for the month-long religious fast to stop smoking for good.
We offer a range of support to help you quit, your way. Support available includes face to face advice in convenient locations, telephone support on hand through extended opening hours, and a quit programme available online 24/7.
This year, Ramadan takes place from 5th May through to 4th June, and is a period in which Muslims take part in a fast during daylight hours. Along with consuming food and drink between sunrise and sunset, smoking is also considered breaking fast.
Yorkshire Smokefree is offering its support to Muslim smokers who may be thinking about using Ramadan to kick the habit for good. Smokers can choose to access just one of the methods of support available, or all three to increase their chances of successfully quitting.
Maggie Milne, service manager for Yorkshire Smokefree in Sheffield, said: “Giving up smoking during daylight hours for Ramadan requires serious willpower, but if you can do it you are already halfway there. Ramadan offers a fantastic opportunity to carry on and stop smoking for good. By not smoking for just one day, your blood pressure will have returned to a normal rate, and the nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your body will have already reduced by half.”
Ramadan changes your routine, so it’s a great way to kick-start your quit journey. Yorkshire Smokefree can help in a number of ways, including offering 24/7 online support which is ideal for when you may be thinking about picking up a cigarette during non-fasting hours.
Yorkshire Smokefree has already helped thousands of people across the region to quit – why not make Ramadan your chance to join them?
Yorkshire Smokefree offers services in Barnsley, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Rotherham, Sheffield, and Wakefield. To find out call 0800 6120011 (free from landlines) or 0330 6601166 (free from most mobiles).
