(MENAFN- Jordan Times) Ramadan offers smokers a "good opportunity" to kick the habit and start a new healthy lifestyle when the fasting month comes to an end, according to a health expert.
Sadeq Ghabashah, head of the health ministry's tobacco control unit, said that anyone who can make it through this Ramadan's 16-hour fast without lighting up "can quit".
"Fighting the craving for cigarettes is the most difficult step in quitting smoking. However, those who are able to fast for long hours can beat this craving," Ghabashah told The Jordan Times, noting that 70 per cent of a smoker's success in kicking the habit depends on their will to do so.
Once a smoker has the will to quit and the ability to fight cravings for cigarettes, a counsellor or a doctor can help manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms by prescribing replacement therapies like the patch or gum, according to Ghabashah.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, lack of concentration, headaches and sore throat.
However, some smokers said quitting smoking was not as easy as the health official described.
"I always say I have to seize the opportunity during Ramadan and quit smoking, but I end up smoking 10 cigarettes after iftar," Hiba, a university student, told The Jordan Times.
Husam Ghazi said that while he typically cuts down on smoking during the holy month, quitting completely is another story.
"In Ramadan, it is normal to smoke fewer cigarettes than usual" I smoke four to five cigarettes after iftar. On normal days I smoke a pack of 20 cigarettes," Ghazi said, adding that he tried to quit smoking during Ramadan in previous years but failed.
"I think the reason for not being able to kick the habit is because I do not have the will to do so," the shop owner said.
Saleh Muhanna agreed that the will to quit is more important than anything else.
Last Ramadan, he said, he quit smoking, although it was a challenge.
"I wanted to quit for health reasons, not because I hate smoking," he said. But two months later, "I could not resist starting smoking again."
According to Ghabashah, there are currently three public smoking cessation clinics in the Kingdom in Amman, Irbid and Karak.
"We provide consultation at these clinics for any Jordanian who wants to quit smoking," he explained.
According to the ministry's figures, up to 26 per cent of those who visit the clinics each year succeed in kicking the habit, although the success rate dropped to 18 per cent in 2011.
"The drop was related to a shortage of medication in the ministry's stores last year," Ghabashah said in a previous statement, noting that the ministry spends JD60,000 on nicotine replacement treatments each year.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.