KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 ― Putrajaya will not impose a ban on vaping just yet despite the National Fatwa Council’s edict yesterday declaring e-cigarettes “haram” (forbidden), Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said.

He said the fatwa will not change the federal government's policy on vaping, noting that the Cabinet had already decided that regulating the sale of vape products was sufficient until the Health Ministry decides on the next course of action.

“We won't ban. We will see through the decision made by the Cabinet that we only regulate the sales. That is to ensure no sale of nicotine vape liquid or allowing it only at approved outlets,” Hilmi told reporters outside the Dewan Negara here.

“The fatwa will not affect our decision,” he added when asked to comment on the edict.

The deputy minister also pointed out that the sale of vape falls under the purview of local governments.

The KL City Hall (DBKL) said last week that it would not issue business licences to vape traders although it has yet to decide on what to do with existing vape shops around the capital city.

Beginning January 2016, the sale of vape will be prohibited in states like Johor and Kelantan.

The National Fatwa Council ruled yesterday that smoking electronic cigarettes or vaping is haram after they held the Special Muzakarah (Conference) of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs in Malaysia here last night, according to a Bernama report.

The report quoted council chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin as saying that the decision was made after all aspects were taken into consideration, including Shariah, (Islamic law), medical and scientific findings.

The muzakarah was reportedly attended by state muftis, deputy muftis and members appointed by the Conference of Rulers.

Abdul Shukor added studies from the health point of view were also taken into account, through information obtained from the World Health Organisation which had collected information on the effects of vaping worldwide.

On October 30, Health Minister Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam said the federal Cabinet had decided to regulate vaping due to health concerns.