If you are already thinking about preparing for Ramadan, this is the perfect time to re-evaluate your actions, exercise self-control, adopt healthy behaviors and give up unhealthy habits forever, including smoking.
Ramadan is the perfect time to quit smoking because:
- Smoking is not allowed - in any form - during daylight hours in Ramadan.
- During the day in Ramadan, the fasting period and abstaining from smoking may last for approximately 15 hours each day.
- Fasting is a way to gradually withdraw nicotine from the body; many smokers naturally reduce the amount of smoke they smoke each day.
- Psychologically, abstaining from smoking during the day in Ramadan can lead the smoker to question the reasons for smoking and address them, which is essential to successfully quitting this habit in the long term.
Health benefits after quitting smoking:
- Heart rate and blood pressure drop to normal levels.
- Nerve endings begin to regenerate, which improves the sense of taste and smell.
- The lungs, heart, and circulatory system begin to function better.
- Feeling better from coughing and shortness of breath.
- Decreased chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
- Significantly improved breathing.
- Reduced risk of cancer.
Regardless of age, all these health benefits are important reasons to plan to quit smoking.
Expected withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking:
The first week after quitting is the most difficult time, as you may feel:
- An urgent need to smoke.
- Irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and hunger.
- There may be trouble sleeping.
- Feeling dizzy or sleepy and having a headache.
Fortunately, these symptoms do not last, as they are more severe at first, then they gradually disappear.
Getting Ready to quit smoking:
Some people quit smoking without planning, and others need to plan to quit smoking, so it is preferable to follow these steps to help get started:
- Make the decision to quit smoking, while avoiding thinking about how difficult it is.
- Focus on the reasons for quitting smoking (such as improving health or protecting the family from passive smoking and others), as these reasons will help you continue.
- Find a support group (such as an interest group) affiliated with the Ministry of Health, because they have a better chance of success.
- Tell family and friends that you plan to quit smoking; to get support.
- Learn about the products available to help you quit smoking, by calling 937 or booking an appointment at the smoking cessation clinics in the Sehhaty app.
- Learn how to deal with the urge to smoke and the pressure that comes with quitting smoking and think about ways to deal with triggers when quitting smoking.
- Set the beginning of Ramadan as a target date to quit smoking in the calendar, as setting a date helps you track the specific day and celebrate it every year.