South Asian Tobacco Use
Did you know that chewing paan makes you five times more likely to develop oral cancer?
Whether you smoke cigarettes, bidi or the hookah, chew tobacco in paan or gutkha, you will find tools and advice on this website that will set you on the way to a tobacco-free future.
Ways to stop
Occasions such as Ramadan, Diwali, Vaisakhi, birthdays, anniversaries or the birth of a new baby are perfect times to stop using tobacco and go smokefree.
It also helps to get the support of family or friends - if you support each other, you have a much higher chance of success. Many families enjoy chewing tobacco in paan at home. You don't need to spoil this tradition by stopping the ritual altogether. We recommend you try chewing paan without the tobacco in it. This is much safer and you won't be putting yourself or your family at risk.
There are many different types of free support from the NHS that can help you to go smokefree. The What Suits Me? section of this site includes more information on each of the services, you can also call the NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline for one-to-one support in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati or Bengali.
Free leaflets in a choice of languages
Deciding to give up tobacco use is a helpful leaflet that will explain some of the health benefits of going smokefree. Select one of the options below to download the leaflet in your preferred language.
Speak to an adviser
Call the NHS ASIAN TOBACCO HELPLINE for advice on Tuesdays 1pm - 9pm.
- Urdu - 0800 169 0 881
- Punjabi - 0800 169 0 882
- Hindi - 0800 169 0 883
- Gujarati - 0800 169 0 884
- Bengali - 0800 169 0 885