Religious debates emerge over halal status of tobacco products in Malaysia and Indonesia

In Malaysia, Philip Morris Malaysia managing director Naeem Shahab Khan met with Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin to discuss the company’s transition toward producing ‘safer’ cigarette-like products, such as heated tobacco. During the discussion, the Mufti noted that if a product is clean, has controllable side effects, and avoids excessive wastage, it could potentially be considered halal, though the opposite would apply otherwise.

Simultaneously in Indonesia, the Muhammadiyah organization and the Muhammadiyah Tobacco Control Network (MTCN) are advocating for the BPJPH to implement non-halal labeling on cigarettes and vapes. This move follows Muhammadiyah’s existing fatwas declaring smoking and electronic cigarettes haram (forbidden) due to their addictive nature and the health risks they pose to individuals and society.