Smoking is a bad habit that can lead to death. According to the views of Islam, smoking is prohibited and the act of smoking is considered harmful to the person who lights up, while endangering all those around them who unwittingly become exposed to second-hand smoke, which is also associated with various adverse affects on an individual’s health.
This was highlighted by the Deputy Director of Youth and Sports, Haji Muhd Zamri bin Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani, who was the guest of honour at an anti-smoking talk that was held yesterday at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
More than 50 officers from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports attended the talk. Also present at the talk was the Special Duties Administrative Officer, Pg Mohd Amirrizal bin Pg Hj Mahmud.
The deputy director further added, “In addition, smoking is also a financial burden for those who partake in the habit.” He also pointed out, “While in regards to sports, athletes who smoke definitely feel its ill effects and there is no benefit at all for them as their athletic performance will decline over time.”
Present to deliver a presentation on the dangers of smoking were a medical officer from the Quit Smoking Clinic, Dr Ernina Nisdzarinah binti Hj Abdul Rani, and a nurse from the Health Promotion Centre, Dk Nurzafiftah binti Pg Asmadi. During the presentation, it was revealed that 7.9 per cent of the population aged 15 and above are smokers.
Dr Ernina Nisdzarinah said, “A cigarette contains more than 4,000 chemicals of which 400 are toxic in nature. It also contains 60 materials that are the cause of chronic diseases and cancers, as well as containing the drug nicotine. Other toxic ingredients are tar, carbon monoxide, benzene, arsenic, ammonia and methanol, just to mention a few”.
The medical officer also highlighted the danger of smoking shisha (water-pipe), which releases tar-infused smoke equivalent to 20 cigarettes. Individuals who smoke a shisha for 45 minutes is comparable to smoking 50 cigarettes. She also pointed out the additional danger of spreading tuberculosis and other viruses via the sharing of a shisha.
