Yemenis smoke the most [Archives:2006/919/Local News]

LONDON, Feb. ? – According to a recent survey by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Yemeni men and women have the highest ratio of smoking among all Muslim countries. Published in the latest issue of the British Medical Journal, the survey reveals that approximately 77 percent of all Yemeni men smoke, as well as 29 percent – almost a third – of Yemeni women.

Entitled “Influence of Islam on Smoking in Muslim Countries,” the survey was conducted by Aziz Sheik among others. In order to encourage Muslim smokers to quit smoking, the report requests Muslim leaders, particularly those in South Asia, issue laws prohibiting smoking. Researchers also call on Muslim religious scholars to participate in anti-tobacco campaigns.

Some religious scholars have issued fatwas (religious statements) stating that smoking is forbidden in Islam. However, according to the study, some religious scholars and Middle Eastern and North African institutions recently declared that smoking is prohibited, while the general view of others is that smoking is “makrooh” (lawful but discouraged).

The study included 30 Muslim countries, as well as countries with significant Muslim populations.

The second highest smoking ratio was recorded in Indonesia, where 69 percent of men and 3 percent of women smoke, while Saudi Arabia recorded the lowest rate with 13 percent of its population smoking (19 percent of men and 8 percent of women). The study also reveals that male smoking rates in Muslim countries generally are higher than those of females.

According to the World Health Organization, smoking is considered the second leading cause of death worldwide. Five million people die annually from tobacco- and smoking-related diseases.
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