The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

According to the Quran, Islam's most revered holy scripture, Allah says, "...make not your own hands contribute to your destruction..." (Chapter: Al-Baqarah, verse: 195). As universally known tobacco use, especially smoking causes a host of health problems that often ultimately result in death, hence in the Islamic perspective, it is decreed that tobacco use is HARAM or prohibited.

Apart from inflicting harm upon oneself and suicide, tobacco use is also associated with many other negative elements like wastefulness, imposing injury on others and damage to the environment; all of which are in conflict with the teachings of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Tobacco use was never a part of Islam and must be eradicated from the Muslim way of life. It is most disturbing to know that the Muslims population particularly men, has amongst the world's highest smoking prevalence. Religious leaders in Islam need to be made aware of these facts and should actively participate in the effort to remove the detrimental factor pose by tobacco.