Smokers across the district are being urged to quit their habit with help from the NHS during Ramadan.

The local Stop Smoking service, part of Bradford and Airedale Community Health Services, is running special events at mosques throughout Ramadan.

The team is working closely with imams from local mosques and community representatives to raise awareness of the support available to people who want to quit smoking.

For the fourth year running, the Stop Smoking service has teamed up with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to deliver training to imams and community representatives about coronary heart disease and how it can be prevented.

The advice can then be passed on to congregations during Ramadan so that people can get help and support to stop smoking, be more physically active and eat a healthy diet.

People from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India are at a higher risk of heart disease than other communities.

Imams and other representatives are being invited to a training session on Thursday run by the BHF and Asian Quit Line with support from the local Stop Smoking team.

They will be given information about the risk factors associated with heart disease, especially the danger of high salt consumption and smoking.

Mohammed Idrees, from the Stop Smoking team, said: “Local religious leaders and community representatives are in a unique position to raise awareness of heart disease among Muslim communities during Ramadan.

“This period provides a great opportunity to encourage Muslims to adopt a healthy lifestyle and encourage them to make positive changes.

“Every year our smoking quit rate has gone up during Ramadan and, thanks to the support of the imams and community representatives, we hope to make a real difference this year too.”

To make an appointment with a stop smoking advisor, or to find out how they can help call (01274) 202793 or text the word ‘quita’ to 88020 and someone will call back.