Audenshaw resident encourages others to quit smoking ahead of Ramadan

As Ramadan approaches, a Tameside resident is urging others to take the opportunity to quit smoking and improve their health with support from Be Well Tameside.

Tajamal Hussain Shah, 41, from Audenshaw, has successfully stopped smoking after a decade‑long struggle with tobacco. He first began smoking at the age of 24, a habit he picked up while running a shisha café. Over the years, Tajamal’s smoking increased until he was regularly getting through a full pack of 20 cigarettes a day. Although he previously stopped for two separate six-month periods, he found himself relapsing each time.

A routine health check with his GP proved to be a turning point. “I discovered that my cholesterol levels were high,” Tajamal said. “As a doctor, I’m very aware of the combined risks of high cholesterol and smoking, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health. That clinical insight pushed me to seek proper, structured support rather than continue trying to quit on my own.”

Tajamal contacted Be Well Tameside for their specialist smoking cessation support and enrolled on a 12‑week programme. The service provided flexible, structured follow‑up appointments every two weeks, along with guidance on nicotine replacement therapy including vapes.

“The accountability made all the difference,” he explained. “I wasn’t going through withdrawal alone. The team monitored my progress, helped me manage cravings, and gave me the tools to make sure this quit attempt was permanent.”

Since stopping smoking, Tajamal says the health benefits have been “immediate and profound”. His breathing is greatly improved, along with noticeably higher energy levels and the simple relief of no longer smelling of smoke. While he occasionally uses a vape, he now has many nicotine‑free days each week and feels he is firmly in control of his habit.

With Ramadan approaching, he hopes others in the community will consider following his path, as more than half of Tameside residents from racially minoritised communities smoke, compared with 13.6% of the borough’s overall population.

“I’d strongly encourage anyone thinking about quitting to take the first step now,” he said. “Smoking has undeniable long‑term health implications, but you don’t have to rely on willpower alone. Be Well Tameside are incredibly professional and experienced. With their help, what feels like a difficult personal challenge becomes a manageable, guided process.”

Be Well Tameside provides free and confidential advice to help residents quit smoking, offering personalised plans, ongoing support and access to nicotine replacement options.

For anyone planning to stop smoking for Ramadan – or simply wanting to improve their health – support is available.

For free, confidential help to quit smoking, contact Be Well Tameside at www.tameside.gov.uk/bewelltameside or call 0161 342 5050.