KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 — Malaysian E-Vaporisers and Tobacco Alternative Association (Mevta) president Rizani Zakaria said that sales of vape products will not be affected by the National Fatwa Council’s edict that vaping is “haram” (forbidden).

He said that despite Malay-Muslims making up an estimated 60 per cent of vape traders, the industry was already well entrenched after years of operations and growing adoption.

Rizani also likened the edict to a similar one on cigarette smoking, which he pointed out has not stopped people from continuing with the habit.

“[The fatwa] will not stop sales because [vape has] already been sold for almost six years in Malaysia. But we don’t want people to be running illegal businesses either, so we want there to be a proper way, the same as how tobacco gets their licences,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

He said that he hoped the council would reconsider their stand on the matter and focus on vaping’s benefits as a potential outlet for smokers to give up cigarettes.

He added that the council should not have lumped vaping together with tobacco products such as cigarettes and shisha, saying that the practices are different.

“Everywhere, smokers have successfully quit smoking with the help of vaping, so I hope the council sees it from a positive perspective in helping smokers.”

Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas) president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah said that his group will take its cue from Putrajaya, noting that there was currently a contradiction between the government and the fatwa council’s views on vaping.

He also pointed out that the Cabinet has also decided not to ban vaping.

“Why is it not coordinated, especially since there is a minister who is in charge of Islamic affairs? We will wait for the Health Ministry to decide on regulation,” he added.

The National Fatwa Council yesterday ruled that smoking electronic cigarettes or vaping is forbidden in Islam.

Council chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said the edict was issued based on the “Qaedah Saad al-Zarala” method, namely to prevent something far worse in the future.

He also said the use of electronic cigarettes and vape could be equated with smoking conventional cigarettes.