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Journal of Religion and Health
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 3/2020

01-06-2020 | Psychological Exploration

Islam and Motivation to Quit Smoking: Public Health Policy Implications

Authors: Khaled Alturki, Ahmed Hamza, Peter Walton

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 3/2020

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Abstract

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.
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Metadata
Title
Islam and Motivation to Quit Smoking: Public Health Policy Implications
Authors
Khaled Alturki
Ahmed Hamza
Peter Walton
Publication date
01-06-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 3/2020
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0649-4

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