Islam and Motivation to Quit Smoking: Public Health Policy Implications.

Publisher: Springer Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 2985199R Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1573-6571 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00224197 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Relig Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: New York, NY : Springer
Original Publication: New York : Academy of Religion and Mental Health.

Islam* ; Motivation*; Smoking Cessation/*psychology; Health Policy ; Humans ; Public Policy ; Smoking/adverse effects

In the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office some 14 years ago, a 'religiously inspired approach' was proposed to combat tobacco use. This promoted a useful debate in the region. The purpose of this paper is to argue the need to identify the role which Islamic beliefs and teachings play (1) in influencing individual motivation to quit smoking and (2) in gaining support for public policies to reduce smoking. Ramadan and Hajj are taken as key points. These, it is argued, are times when Muslim religious motivation to abstain from smoking is strongest. This paper concludes that there is an insufficient evidence base on which to adopt a religiously inspired approach. All of civil society, including religious Muslim authorities, should rather supplement the efforts of health professionals to encourage smoking cessation.

Keywords: Ramadan; Religiously inspired; Smoking

Date Created: 20180628 Date Completed: 20200601 Latest Revision: 20200601

20231215

10.1007/s10943-018-0649-4

29948792