Govt to discuss placing cigarettes in 'non-halal section'

The government will discuss the proposal to place cigarettes with other non-halal products in stores.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said he will meet with Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali to discuss the proposal.

"From our perspective, there is a fatwa (forbidding the use of cigarettes for Muslims).

"Whether this means placing it (cigarettes) in the halal section or not is under the jurisdiction of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.

"So, I will discuss this matter," he told reporters today.

He was responding to a question on a proposal to place cigarettes in the non-halal section, given that a fatwa forbidding it for Muslims has been in place for many years.

The fatwa forbidding Muslims from using cigarettes was issued in 1995 while the fatwa forbidding e-cigarettes and vapes was issued in 2005.

Na'im was speaking at a press conference at an Islamic Development Department (Jakim) at Institut Latihan Islam Malaysia, Bangi, today.

Supermarkets and sundry stores generally place non-halal products, including liquor and other alcohol and pork in a separate section.

Convenience stores also usually place alcoholic drinks in a separate refrigerator or a separate section of the refrigerator.

Cigarettes are placed behind the counter, as buyers are required to be above the age of 18.

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