KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) shared a post on its Facebook account today from the Federal Territories Mufti's office a ruling on the usage of electronic cigarettes and vapes.
It is said in the posting that the ruling on the use of electronic cigarettes is haram (forbidden in Islam).
The fatwa was issued by the Special Meeting of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia on Dec 21, 2015.
The posting gained a lot of attention from Facebook users with mixed reactions as some gave their full support while others questioned the authorities in the implementation of the fatwa.
User @Ahmad Mubtasim AL Lutfi brought up another point of view by saying ""But the government legalised vape. They even removed it from the list of poisons."
Furthermore, user @Delly AK said "Many things are considered haram in Malaysia but they are allowed to sell them here regardless. If only Jakim had the authority to resolve these issues."
Meanwhile, User @Encik Naz explained that despite feeling responsible, he also struggled to advise his friends who vaped and smoked electronic cigarettes.
"It's hard to tell my friends, I'm afraid it would hurt their feelings."
The Federal Territories Mufti's office defines electronic cigarettes or vape (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or e-Cigarettes) as an innovation of conventional cigarettes into modern cigarettes.
It is said on its website that many argue that smoking vape is one way to help smokers quit smoking which caused them to switch to the 'better' alternative to quitting smoking.
However, it stressed that this assumption deviates from the basics as they also use nicotine substances that can be addictive and harmful to human health.