Putting religion ahead of tobacco

At a glance / Aperçu

Putting religion ahead of tobacco

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 155: 1722

The US-based National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP) has launched a unique advertising campaign, "Give your lungs a religious experience," in an effort to persuade Jews that a Sabbath without cigarettes can contribute to a superior spiritual awakening. Launched last month in conjunction with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, the NJOP campaign features a cigarette surrounded by a large red circle with the word Shabbat (Hebrew for Sabbath) crossing it out. "This Shabbat light candles, not cigarettes," says the ad, which offers a free brochure to help readers "make Shabbat the best day of your week." The brochure lists 12 things to do "when you're not smoking on Shabbat." In a press release, the NJOP notes that traditional Judaism considers smoking on Saturday a violation of the Sabbath.

| CMAJ December 15, 1996 (vol 155, no 12) |