Bandar Seri Begawan - Bruneians yesterday heard the call from imams nationwide to look after their health, and were reminded of the detrimental effects of smoking to self, community and the country.

The nationwide call to Muslims centred around the importance emphasised by Islam to look after one's self and that actions which are detrimental to a person's health is considered as harem.

Looking after one's health is paramount, and should not be taken for granted, in particular the case of smoking and the negative effects it has, not just on smokers but to those around them as well, was cited as a primary example.

The congregation in yesterday's prayers heard that "studies have already shown that cigarettes contain chemicals and toxins which cause harmful effects to the body".

The sermon also pointed out that while smoking does not immediately kill the smoker, the gradual and continual harm it does to the body leads to one's untimely death.

As such imams have reminded everyone that "killing oneself quickly is no different than killing oneself slowly", and therefore the act are comparable to suicide.

"Smokers often say that they get a relief or are put at ease when smoking cigarettes, but this is a result of their addiction to the nicotine contained in the cigarettes," the sermon emphasised.

In addition, smokers cannot justify that the habit only affects themselves as it affects the lives of others and the community in a broader scale.

Those in the vicinity of smokers are harmed as well, directly affecting the immediate family of the smokers including the spouse and children. Cigarettes, in addition to being harmful, are said to be a waste of money and a burden to the country's economy.
"A pack a day smoker, would spend $21 a week on cigarettes, $90 a month and more than $1,000 a year," outlined the sermon which went on to say that government's spending on medical care, had been very high, especially money spent on raising awareness on stop smoking.

Smoking has been dealt with seriously in Brunei with the tobacco order coming into full effect in 2008.

The Sultanate has also banned smoking in public places after prohibiting the act from being carried out in government buildings, schools and mosques, and provisions were put in place to prohibit sponsorship, sales promotion and advertising which include orally and hoardings in any form whatsoever.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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