The Malaysian Women’s Action for Tobacco Control and Health (MyWatch) welcomes the government’s consideration of guidelines to protect Muslim workers from being required to handle alcohol sales.
We support practical arrangements such as separate counters or adjusted duties, provided workers’ livelihoods and job opportunities are protected.
But the principle must be applied consistently. If guidelines are being developed for Muslim employees involved in selling products prohibited under Islam, they should also address tobacco and vape products. Malaysian Islamic authorities have already issued rulings on these products; this should not be treated as a new or unfamiliar question.
The 37th Muzakarah of the National Fatwa Committee, on March 23, 1995, ruled that smoking is haram because it causes harm. In 2015, the national Muzakarah ruled that using electronic cigarettes and vapes is haram and that Muslims are prohibited from vaping or undertaking activities related to these products.
