PAKISTAN MEDICOS COMMEMURATE 'QUIT TOBACCO DAY' ON RAMZAN 1

PIMA to commemorate Quit Tobacco Day on Ramazan 1

 

ISLAMABAD, 7 jULY - 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. 

LINK: 

                 1.       http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/07/05/city/islamabad/pima-to-commemorate-quit-tobacco-day-on-ramazan-1/

              2.   http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-188111-Quit-Tobacco-Day-on-first-day-of-Ramazan

 

SMOKERS ABUSE AND INTIMIDATE ANTI-SMOKING HOSTPITALS POLICE

People power! Anti-smoking police hired by Scottish hospitals ignored by smokers

Lindsey Archibald

Tue, 02 Jul 2013

All three wardens walked away from the job at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow in just one week after being intimidated and verbally abused by smokers outside the building
Three wardens hired to stop people smoking outside hospitals have quit in disgust over the levels of verbal abuse.
All three walked away just days after starting the £12,000-a-year job, blaming intimidation from smokers.
The wardens were hired as part of an NHS drive to stop people flouting no smoking rules outside hospitals.
It was hoped they would encourage people to stop lighting up as doctors have warned the fog of smoke at hospital
doors could harm the health of visitors and patients.
The three wardens began work last week at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, which is also home to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
But they quit within days, citing unbearable intimidation and verbal abuse from people they caught smoking in the grounds. NHS Glasgow and Clyde rolled out the scheme at 11 hospitals, employing 17 full-time wardens. 

LINK :   
            http://www.dailypaul.com/291215/people-power-anti-smoking-police-hired-by-scottish-hospitals-ignored-by-smokers

ANTI-SMOKING HELMET TO FIGHT TOBACCO ADDICTION

Man Devises Anti-Smoking Helmet To Fight Tobacco Addiction

ISTANBUL : A Kütahya local  who has tried and failed time and again to quit his 26-year smoking habit has made a special helmet with wires in front to restrain himself.

 

Kütahya resident İbrahim Yücel (42) has been a smoker for more than two decades. He says he has never been able to quit successfully, although he has tried a number of times. Yücel said: “Every birthday I wished I could stop smoking, but I have, unfortunately, never been able to bring my willpower under control. I regret smoking terribly, but I can't quit.”
Yücel's father died of lung cancer. Yücel said: “He died this year due to lung cancer, and even so I haven't been able to quit. I was thinking of how to control myself, and it occurred to me that I could make myself cage-like headgear. God willing, I think I will succeed this time.”
The anti-smoking helmet Yücel has contrived is similar to a motorcycle helmet. It is made of copper wires and has two padlocks. “I will lock these as I leave the house and give one key to my wife and the other to my daughter. I will leave the house in this cage,” he said.
Yücel, who just started trying out his cage, said, “I am just so happy to be wearing this helmet, so I won't be able to smoke anymore. I promise in the name of God that I will absolutely quit.”
His spouse, Kevser Yücel (36), says: “We have been married for 16 years, and he has tried to quit many times. He would try every New Year, on our anniversary, birthdays and the children's birthdays. He usually quits for a couple of days, and then takes it up again. His father's passing because of lung cancer became a milestone. He said he would never smoke again on the 40th day of his father's death, but unfortunately he started again after 10 days.” Kevser Yücel said she found the helmet a bit embarrassing, but came to find it more logical after giving it some thought. “I got used to the idea, and now it seems logical,” she said.

LINK:

          http://www.todayszaman.com/news-319728-man-devises-anti-smoking-helmet-to-fight-tobacco-addiction.html