MUSLIMS are being urged to quit smoking in time for Ramadan.

The religious event, which takes place around July 20, is one of the most important months in the Islamic calendar.

Muslim adults refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours, and this includes smoking and using other tobacco products such as hookah or shisha.

Janet Walton, NHS East Lancashire head of public health development, said: “We are encouraging people to plan ahead and contact the stop smoking service in order to be quit in time for Ramadan.”

In East Lancashire, Quitsquad, provided by Lancashire Care Foundation Trust, runs drop-in clinics. No appointment is needed for the sessions but individual appointments are available if required. Trained advisers will see quitters on a one-to-one basis through the first 12 weeks and multi-lingual advisers are available.

Call the Quit Squad on 0800 328 6297 or 01254 380424 or visit www.quitsquad.nhs.uk. Blackburn with Darwen residents can call 01254 282200.