Ramadan is the perfect time for many Muslims who smoke or chew tobacco to stop for good with support from the Quit Squad.

With many Muslims fasting for lengthy periods during the month, those who smoke or chew tobacco are already taking significant steps on moving towards a smoke free life. 

This is a great opportunity to stop smoking as such people have already started their journey for becoming tobacco free.
 
Gareth Beck from the Quit Squad said, “Ramadan is a perfect time to stop smoking or chewing tobacco for good.

"With the fasts this year being so long, people will be managing over 20 hours a day without a cigarette or using chewing tobacco from dawn to sunset. Significant steps have already been taken to giving up their nicotine addiction. 

"After 8 hours, the Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are reduced by more than half and after 48 hours, the body and the lungs become carbon monoxide free.
 
“Many people fail to realise that shisha smokers are at risk of developing the same health problems as cigarette smokers including cancer and other respiratory diseases; shisha also has the potential to increase the risk of mouth cancer. 

So why not say no to all forms of tobacco use, including shisha and paan, this Ramadan with help from the Quit Squad?” 
 
The Quit Squad has also developed five top tips for quitting smoking this Ramadan:
 
1. Mentally prepare yourself with a firm intention to give up smoking this Ramadan
2. Break your fast away from other smokers
3. Avoid food or drink that you normally associate with smoking
4. Do whatever it takes to disrupt smoking routines, for example leaving the table or going outside immediately after breaking fast if you intend to end it with a cigarette
5. Look for new distractions wherever possible
 
If you want to quit tobacco for good contact the Quit Squad, a service delivered by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and funded by Lancashire County Council.
 
You can access the service in your local community by visiting a drop-in clinic (for which no appointments are required) or by attending a one-to-one session.

Clinics are held at Yarnspinner’s, Nelson on Mondays 5pm-7pm, Colne Asda on Tuesday 4pm-7pm, and Accrington Victoria Hospital on Saturday 9am-12pm.

The Quit Squad also offer sessions in the community and workplace. 

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