TOBACCO ADDICTION AND THE ISLAMIC VERDICT

Tobacco used through cigarette smoking, pipes or chewing is the most widespread example of drug dependence in worldwide and it is epidemic in Islamic countries including Kashmir. Tobacco use is a serious public health challenge globally. It has assumed the dimension of a pandemic resulting in enormous disability, disease and death. Tobacco is a major risk factor of numerous adult chronic non-communicable diseases. Researchers in medical field had showed that tobacco use especially cigarette smoking is a major factor in the development of many cases of cancer, heart diseases, chronic lung and respiratory diseases and other ailments. Smoking causes more illness and death than all other drugs. Cigarette smoking in pregnant women results in deleterious health effects on their new born. If the similar trend continues an epidemic of non-communicable diseases is inevitable. Adolescent tobacco use is a complex behaviour factors like, social bonding, social learning, lacking refusal skills, risk-taking attitudes and intentions have been highlighted as reasons for the onset of tobacco use in studies in different countries. In Kashmir too, tobacco consumption in multiple forms presents an emerging, significant and growing threat to the health of the people. This study was taken to provide awareness about tobacco hazards and Islamic prohibition to the masses. The aim of this paper is to review evidences from the Qur'ân, Sunnah and Ijtihad to support the prohibition of tobacco use in Islam. The findings from the review showed that the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah clearly prohibit the use of tobacco by the Muslims. Hence smoking