Impact Data - Tobacco on Trial - A BBC Radio Series - North Africa/The Middle East

Some listeners commented on the educational benefits of the series; others felt that they had heard nothing new on the tobacco health issue, while still others expressed a wish for more coverage of graphic health problems, hoping that this might help them to quit.

Feelings regarding smoking practices were very mixed and complex; from the opinion that nothing was going to influence smoking habits to, "after hearing the programme, I would try to decrease the amount of cigarettes I take every day". Like any habit, it takes a solid decision and strong will to give up smoking, which can be a slow process. Educational programmes such as this keep the topic alive and might serve to lure a person out of a state of denial.

The feeling was split between staunch smokers who are locked in a state of denial and those who welcome any information they can get on the subject: "I always search for programmes and documentaries about smoking - maybe one day they can help me to quit". Overall, the reaction to Tobacco on Trial was positive with the feeling that the BBC is a very reliable and sophisticated source of information and that the series succeeded in increasing social consciousness regarding the anti-tobacco movement.

The views expressed on the air about religion and smoking triggered much discussion: "The most important thing is that we as Muslims living in an Islamic country should always refer back to our religion. If religion says smoking is prohibited, then we should not smoke". "I...talked to a religious friend of mine about it and asked him is it true that a woman can divorce her husband if he is a smoker. He told me that he heard such a thing on the BBC that same day". The topic of children/youth and cigarette education was also of great interest and created discussion among the listeners. Many felt that the father in the family should not model smoking if he does not want his children to smoke.