Asian Community

Around 106,000 people die in the UK each year from smoking related illnesses and there's a high rate of smokers within the Asian community.

In Britain, 44% of Bangladeshi men and 26% of Pakistani men smoke cigarettes, compared with 27% of men in the general population. 

Chewing tobacco, including paan and gutkah, has a number of risks such as throat, mouth, lip, or tongue cancer.  Chewing paan with tobacco makes you five times more likely to develop mouth cancer.  When chewed by pregnant women it can reduce the growth of their unborn babies.

If you want to quit smoking or stop using tobacco in other forms, speak to the local stop smoking service (TASK) on 01706 708000. Getting help to quit smoking means you are four times more likely to succeed, so if nothing has worked for you, give them a call.  You can also see your doctor, ask at your pharmacy or contact the health trainers.

The team can also help you to make your home and car Smoke Free - helping you to quit and creating a safer environment for you and your family.

NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline

The NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline provides a dedicated, confidential and free advice service on how to give up smoking cigarettes, bidi or the hookah as well as chewing tobacco and tobacco in paan.

The phone numbers are:

• 0800 169 0 881 (Urdu)
• 0800 169 0 882 (Punjabi)
• 0800 169 0 883 (Hindi)
• 0800 169 0 884 (Gujarati)
• 0800 169 0 885 (Bengali)