The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Muslims all over the world practise fasting from dawn to sunset every year throughout the holy month of Ramadhan. During the whole fasting period, Muslims must refrain from ingesting food or fluid and neither are they allowed to smoke. Most Muslims would adhere quite strictly to the requirements of this ritual and even hard core smokers too when fasting are able to suppress their nicotine addiction until it is time to break their fast.

The New Breath Beginning Ramadhan introduced in 2003, is an annual project undertaken by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with numerous government as well as non-government agencies. This project mobilise religious authorities and groups in a nationwide campaign to encourage Muslim smokers to quit smoking beginning the month of Ramadhan. Numerous activities were planned before, during and after Ramadhan so that necessary support can be provided to smokers and their families.