The National Fatwa Council’s edict forbidding vaping should not affect regulation of the industry in Malaysia, vape traders say.

Dewan Perniagaan Vape Malaysia said this is because the National Fatwa Council also issued an edict to forbid cigarettes but the items are still widely available, albeit controlled by regulations.

“As a Muslim, I must accept the decision of the Fatwa Council. But this should not hold back the process of coming up with regulations on the vape industry,” its secretary Ridhwan Rosli said.

“We know that cigarettes are also forbidden by regulation is still there, and the rules governing the sale, distribution and consumption are clear. I hope the same can be done for vape,” he told Malaysiakini .

The National Fatwa Council yesterday issued an edict forbidding the use of e-cigarettes and vape by Muslims.

It said the edict was decided taking into consideration requirements of the syariah, as well as medical, scientific and social arguments.

The industry is estimated to be worth RM2 billion, with trade associations claiming that most traders are Malays Muslims.

The sale of vaping products are banned in Johor and Kelantan, while the Health Ministry is using the Poisons Act to crack down on the sale of vape liquids which contain nicotine.

Industry players are urging for regulation, instead of a blanket ban.