[UPDATED] CAP reminds Muslims to honour fatwa against smoking

GEORGE TOWN –  The Consumers Association of Penang ​(CAP) has reminded Malaysian Muslims to respect a fatwa (Islamic edict) which prohibits smoking of cigarettes so as not to harm themselves and others.

Its president, Mohideen Abdul Kader said that Muslims still take the matter lightly despite there being an edict against smoking. 

“What is more worrying is that students are taking up the habit,” he said at a press conference here which was also attended by a representative of the state mufti’s office.

The fatwa committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia had issued the edict on March 23, 1995, with the view that smoking is forbidden in Islam as it is harmful. 

In 2015, the council also issued a fatwa declaring electronic cigarettes as haram (prohibited).

Quoting Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Mohideen pointed out that Malaysia records 400 deaths a week due to smoking-related illnesses, such as cancer, stroke or heart disease.

“It is estimated that there are 7 million smokers in Malaysia who, besides having a higher risk of developing these fatal diseases, might suffer from symptoms such as breathing difficulties, wheezing, or chest pains," he said.

The activist further pointed out that all forms of tobacco are harmful and there is no safe exposure to tobacco.

This includes water pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, cigars, cigarillos, roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, bidis and kreteks.

Furthermore, Mohideen raised the concern of e-cigarettes or electronic cigarettes, which look similar to traditional cigarettes and consist of a one-piece unit that is used until the cartridge runs out and then thrown away.

“According to statistics, the number of Malaysians using electronic nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes and vapes, doubled to 1.2 million in 2019 from 600,000 in 2016.

“World Health Organisation (WHO) also revealed that more than 8 million people die each year from direct tobacco use, while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

“Tobacco users who died prematurely deprived their families of income, raised the cost of healthcare and hindered economic development,” he added.

The council also urged the religious authorities to take further action to curb smoking, especially among Muslims, and to create awareness as well as remind the fatwa against smoking.

Believing that this issue goes beyond Malaysia’s borders, Mohideen proposed that Putrajaya take a step further and discuss this matter with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as a consensus to prohibit Muslims around the world from smoking. – The Vibes, September 13, 2022