Muslim leaders asked to ban smoking

[The Straight Story]

Muslim leaders asked to ban smoking
Indo-Asian News Service

London, February 6, 2006


Muslim leaders, especially in South Asia, should rule that smoking is prohibited under Islamic law to encourage Muslim smokers to quit, say doctors in the renowned British Medical Journal (BMJ).

A paper titled "Influence of Islam on smoking among Muslims" in the latest BMJ issue by Aziz Sheikh and other researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, requests help from the Muslim clergy in anti-tobacco campaigns given the religious unacceptability of smoking, reported the science portal EurekAlert.

The researchers analysed data on the prevalence of smoking in the 30 countries with the highest proportion of Muslims.

Smoking rates in each of these countries is significantly higher among men than women. The highest recorded rates among men are in Indonesia and Yemen, where over two-thirds smoke. Yemen also has the highest prevalence of smoking among women, almost a third of whom smoke, the paper said.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5967_1618249,001600060001.htm

[NanceGreggs]

1. For centuries now ...

... priests, ministers and rabbis have told their congregations not to lie, cheat, steal, commit adultery, which are also viewed as 'religiously unacceptable' ...

Now, that worked out REAL WELL, didn't it?

[sushi]

4. It's more important

not to smoke!:rofl:

[htuttle]

2. Sheesh(a), this wouldn't go over well

[enid602]

3. Iran

Iran already tried to ban smoking; now there is a flourishing black market tobacco trade from Iraq and Kuwait. The mullahs are afraid to crack down on the black market, as their hold is already so tenuous on the youth and the middle class in Teheran.

[MADem]

5. And it ain't just tobacco that goes in the hubble-bubble

The mother of my landlord over in that end of the world used to be mellow as a cello when she fired hers up...

[unschooler]

7. After we and the Israelis attack, the Iranian clerics will have the youth

and middle class in the palm of their hand.

[politicaholic]

6. Interpretation: "Yes, Europe is right, women SHOULD stop smoking!"...

I think Mohammad smoked also. Taking away their only vice. Tough sell.