UAE: Shisha, cigarettes after iftar? Smoking during Ramadan poses higher health risks, experts warn
Smoking during Ramadan can be more harmful than at other times of the year. This is because of the sudden exposure of a person's body to smoke after several hours of fasting, some experts have warned.
'We usually see that people start smoking aggressively after not doing so for 12 to 16 hours,' said Dr Mutaz Labib, consultant pulmonary and critical care disease at Clemenceau Medical Center Hospital. 'So, there is massive exposure all at once as people smoke three or four cigarettes back-to-back. There is no adaptation period.'
Dr Labib's comments were supported by Dr Raiza Hameed KH, specialist pulmonology at Aster Clinic in Bur Dubai. 'Many smokers try to compensate for the abstinence during the fasting period by chain-smoking after iftar,' she said.
'Deprivation of nicotine, which is the addictive factor in cigarettes, causes the smoker to chain-smoke because they need to maintain a certain level of nicotine to feed the addiction. The sudden intense introduction of toxic substances puts the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems at high risk.'
During the holy month, Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking water, and smoking, among other things, from dawn to dusk.
How vaping and shisha is more harmful
According to Dr Mutaz, people who vape are at a higher risk of facing health complications when they smoke after iftar.
'Due to the huge amount of the smoke that they get with each puff of vaping, especially after iftar, there is a study done with spectrography methodology which showed that in one minute, the brain may get intoxicated,' he said. 'So, there are cases of people losing consciousness and developing stroke, heart attack and other serious problems. I ask patients why they want to subject themselves to such critical risk and try to convince them to pursue smoke cessation.'
Dr Raiza said that the use of shishas is found to be 'particularly increased' during the month, even among non-smokers, due to an increase in family gatherings and eating out at suhoor tents.
'Smoke inhaled in one hour of shisha can equal up to 100 cigarettes,' she said. 'The effects of smoking shisha are much worse during Ramadan due to dehydration caused by daily fasting periods. Blood pressure increases, and heart beats become irregular, which can sometimes lead to life threatening arrhythmias. Nicotine induces coronary spasms, which can trigger heart attacks. There is a high risk of infectious diseases associated as the shisha pipes are not always properly cleaned.'
Kicking the habit
For many, this month is a springboard to quit the habit. Last Ramadan, Omer Khan, the CEO of mental health platform Helply, stopped smoking after 23 years, calling the month 'the perfect opportunity' to take the 'first big step' towards quitting.
'I wanted to stop smoking before I turned 40 and since I was already fasting for long hours, I figured — why not push through and extend that discipline beyond iftar,' he said. 'The first few days were tough, especially when the cravings hit in the evening. But I reminded myself that if I could go all day without smoking, I could go a little longer. And then a little longer after that.'
He said it was the hardest mental battle he had ever fought in his life. 'It was about breaking a habit that had been part of my daily routine for more than two decades,' he said. 'I had trained my brain to associate smoking with stress relief, coffee breaks, driving, and even socialising. So, the real fight was convincing myself that I didn't need it anymore.'
He said he was already enjoying the benefits of quitting and urged others to use Ramadan to kick the habit. 'I have better breathing, more energy and fresher lungs—these are things I don't want to trade for a cigarette,' he said. 'Ramadan gives people the push to quit. If you manage to quit smoking during the month, you have already proven to have the discipline to do it. The key now is to keep that momentum going.'
Dr Raiza added that several studies have shown that the severity of withdrawal symptoms linked to smoking is minimised during Ramadan fasting. 'Many smokers and vapers successfully quit during the month,' she said. 'By quitting, people not only improve their health but also demonstrate their commitment to self-improvement during this holy month.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Emirates Woman
3 days ago
- Emirates Woman
Fasting for Ramadan: 5 key tips to nourish your body and soul
Fasting during Arafat Day is a significant spiritual practice for Muslims around the world. It involves abstaining from food and drinks from dawn until sunset, on the day before Eid Al Adha. While fasting, individuals focus on prayer, reflection, and self-discipline. Here are five tips to help make fasting on Arafat Day a spiritually fulfilling and physically manageable experience. Hydration is Key Begin your fast with a balanced suhoor meal that includes plenty of fluids and hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water during non-fasting hours to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, as they can cause thirst. Eat Nutritious Foods Opt for wholesome, nutrient-rich meals during iftar (breaking the fast) to replenish your body's energy levels. Include complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats to sustain you throughout the fasting period. Avoid overeating or indulging in heavy, greasy foods, which can lead to discomfort and sluggishness. Moderate Physical Activity While intense exercise may be challenging during fasting hours, light physical activity such as walking or gentle stretching can help maintain energy levels and promote overall well-being. Listen to your body and avoid strenuous activities, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Prioritize Rest and Sleep Ensure you get adequate rest and sleep during Ramadan to support your body's fasting process. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night and consider taking short naps during the day if needed. Establish a bedtime routine to promote relaxation and quality sleep. Focus on Spiritual Growth Use the opportunity of Ramadan to deepen your connection with your faith. Allocate time each day for spiritual reflection and self-improvement. Engage in community iftars and taraweeh prayers to foster a sense of unity and solidarity with fellow Muslims. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Pexel & Unsplash, Feature Image: Instagram @futurebedouin
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Million-plus pilgrims begin Haj under the blazing sun
More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the Haj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the holy Kaaba — the black cube at the heart of Makkah's Grand Mosque which is Islam's holiest site. State media reported that others had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on the holy city of Makkah's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point on Thursday — prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mouhammad (peace be upon him) is believed to have delivered his final sermon. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf — walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each day. Before entering Makkah, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. "I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem Al Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. - Artificial intelligence - Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest Haj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Haj and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Al Etihad
Million-plus pilgrims arrive in Mina for 'Day of Tarwiyah'
4 June 2025 13:09 MINA, SAUDI ARABIA (AGENCIES) Pilgrims began arriving in Mina on Wednesday morning to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, Dhu Al-Hijjah 8, and stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday, prayers on Mount to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom's government provided extensive security, medical, food, and transportation services to ensure pilgrims' comfort and enable them to perform their rituals with ease and media reported that more than a million pilgrims had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday - prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf - walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates."I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem al-Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. Artificial Intelligence Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. The newly built pedestrian boulevard leading to the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah) Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres, thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds.
