SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT IN BANNING SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES

By Dr A.Majid Katme, Spokesman, Islamic Medical Association/UK

On Monday ,20th June,the Dept of health,has announced and published its public consultation on SMOKING in public places(?BAN);

Many responses are needed in order to change the law ..to BAN smoking in public places!
We obviously,as muslims,do support,as a first step,to BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES...But the Islamic view is to BAN SMOKING EVERYWHERE...in public and in private..and at home!
There are now over 25 Muslim Fatwas which PROHIBIT ALL SMOKING anywhere...!
ULAMAS have declared smoking to be HARAM today!
Unfortunately,the rate of smoking among the British muslims is very HIGH ,More than the white population???? (Bangladeshi,Pakistani,Arabs,Turkish etc...)

Many now are paying the price with many diseases:cancer lung,heart diseases,chest infections etc...and many are Chronic patients and are frequently in hospitals and DYING from smoking!!
Our muslim parents too, are giving our innocent children SECOND HAND SMOKE/PASSIVE SMOKING at home and they become sick after with many diseases!!!

There is a great need for a national Education campaign ,among all muslims,against smoking and in Friday Khutba!

Muslim doctors and Imams ,unfortunately have done very little to educate/combat smoking among the large number of muslim smokers(men and women) ...Islamic and Health and economic arguments/reasons are very much needed to be publicised in all mosques and in all muslim media channels(TV,radio,Newspapers,websites..Friday Khutba..etc..)

Please go to the Department of Health website/Consultation: www.doh.gov.uk

Please send your supportive response to the Government by the 5th September/2005 (even few lines in the name of your organisation,mosque or even yourself as a British citizen/from the consulted public..)

Address to send to:

Smokefree Legislation Team
Department of Health
Room 707
Wellington House
Waterloo
London SE1 8UG

Or by E-mail: smokefreelegislation@dh.gsi.gov.uk