Health professionals in Lancashire are encouraging people fasting in Ramadan to stop smoking for good.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and is a period of prayer, fasting, charitable giving and self-accountability.

The Quit Squad, who are funded by Lancashire County Council has been campaigning to raise awareness of the health benefits of quitting smoking and to encourage people who abstain from smoking, vaping and chewing in the day during the fasting period to quit for good.

Julie Trezise, Quit Squad Manager for Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, said, “Ramadan is a great time to start some healthy habits and free yourself from unhealthy ones such as smoking.

“People who fast during Ramadan abstain from smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco during the day when fasting and in doing so have taken significant steps on their stop smoking journey. After just 20 minutes of not smoking, your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.

“After 8 hours of not smoking, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood reduce by half and oxygen levels return to normal.

“After 24 hours, carbon monoxide is eliminated from your body, and your lungs begin clearing out any mucus and other smoking debris. Quitting smoking isn’t easy, the Quit Squad is here to help people say no to tobacco during Ramadan and provide support to give up smoking for good.

“The Quit Squad also provides support to shisha smokers who are at risk of developing the same health problems as cigarette smokers including cancer and other respiratory diseases. It can also increase the risk of mouth cancer.

“Studies have also shown that even without including tobacco the betel leaf itself can pose the same health risks as other types of smoking.”

In addition to drop-in clinics (for which no appointments are required) and one-to-one sessions, the Quit Squad also offers group sessions in the community and operates in Central, North, East and West Lancashire.

For further details, telephone 0800 3286297, visit www.quitsquad.nhs.uk, or follow the Quit Squad on Twitter @LancashireCare #QuitSquad.