#Vape: Sabah Fatwa Council Declares Vaping As “Haram” For Muslims

In keeping with the edict of the National Fatwa Council, the Sabah Fatwa Council declared vaping as “haram” (forbidden) for Muslims.

According to The Malay Mail Online, citing State Mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar, vaping or smoking e-cigarettes and shisha were considered forbidden due to their negative effects on one’s health.

He told reporters:

After hearing out opinions from health experts, we declare that shisha, e-cigarettes, and vaping, along with all activities involving the business is illegal according to the Syariah.

However, he noted that “the fatwa does not become law until gazetted as such by the State Islamic Department under the state government”.

Back in December 2015, National Fatwa Council (NFC) chairman Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin announced that vaping or smoking electronic cigarettes is forbidden for Muslims. He also recommended all states to use the national fatwa council’s decision as a reference.

Johor then became the first state to announce a ban on all sale of vape products. Several other states then followed suit including Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Malacca. The Selangor government will also announce its decision on 13th January.

Vaping is also officially banned at 20 public universities and all government schools. It is unclear whether the Malaysian Health Ministry will eventually ban vape/vaping altogether, but it was previously reported that they were looking to implement an excise tax on e-cigarettes and vapes.

What do you guys think? Is it even necessary to categorise vaping as “haram”? Sound off your thoughts in the comments box below.

Source: The Malay Mail Online.