Make smoking, vaping Syariah offences, says academic

Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider classifying smoking and vaping as Syariah criminal offences to reinforce public health efforts and curb addiction among Muslims in Malaysia, says a law academic. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) Syariah and Law Faculty Associate Prof Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow, in a statement, said such a move would support ongoing efforts to combat smoking, which continues to have devastating health impacts on society. He noted that although cigarette smoking remains the most common form, the rapid spread of modern alternatives such as electronic cigarettes and vape devices has complicated the issue. Cigarettes, which contain toxic chemicals from the tobacco leaf and those produced during combustion, are known to cause harm to nearly every organ and are linked to numerous life-threatening illnesses. Citing global statistics, he said smoking contributes to around eight million deaths annually, with half of all smokers dying from smoking-related causes including cancer, heart disease, and lung complications. Vaping, which involves inhaling vapour from devices powered by batteries and atomisers, has similarly been linked to serious health issues including lung damage, cardiovascular disease, and impaired brain function, especially in young users. He referred to international studies showing vaping increases risks for asthma, strokes, and coronary conditions, and may affect brain development, leading to poor decision-making and impulsive behaviour. Muzaffar pointed out that Islam has long addressed the dangers of smoking, with a fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council in 1995 declaring smoking haram due to the harm it causes to individuals and those around them. The 2015 fatwa further extended this ruling to electronic cigarettes and vape devices, but enforcement remains lacking, as many Muslims still downplay the severity of the issue. He urged for specific legal provisions to be added to the Syariah Criminal Offences Act and State Enactments, making smoking and vaping offences in their own right, beyond the current Ramadan-related restrictions, to reflect the seriousness of their health and moral implications. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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