KARACHI, Oct 21: The National Quit Smoking Day on 1st Ramazan is an excellent opportunity for a Muslim to quit smoking, says a press release issued by the Pakistan Chest Society.

The press release says that the day provides Muslims an opportunity to start a new healthy life. This was stated by the president of the Pakistan Chest Society, Dr Ashraf Sadiq, at a press conference held on Monday.

He warned the people about the consequences of use of tobacco in any form.

Elaborating, he said, tobacco kills five million people every year across the globe and its use is on the increase in Pakistan.

He criticized the government for failing to implement the “Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smoker Health Ordinance 2002”.

Dr I. S. Burki of Pakistan Journal of Chest Medicine, urged the government and media to play their role to educate people about the health risks associated with tobacco use.

The general-secretary of the Pakistan Chest Society, Prof Javaid A. Khan, said that lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths in the country and over 90 per cent of these deaths were preventable if tobacco was not consumed.

Dr Sohail Akhtar of Baqai University said the quitting smoking was not as difficult as most people thought.

“It is true that a strong will power is a must for a successful attempt but now with the help of certain medicines, chances of success had markedly increased.

Dr Serajuddaula of the Pakistan Medical Association and the Chest Society said the use of tobacco was an un-Islamic act and that fact must be highlighted. He urged the religious scholars to spread this message.