SEPANG - Malaysia's National Fatwa Council has declared the use of electronic cigarettes as "haram" or forbidden for Muslims.

Its chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin announced this on Monday (Dec 21) night after chairing a special council meeting, New Straits Times (NST) reported.

The decision was reached after those at the meeting examined studies from the syariah law, medical and scientific aspects, as well as from the viewpoints of wastage and unhealthy culture.

"From the syariah aspect, it is detrimental to health. Islam forbids its followers from using things that can harm them directly or indirectly; immediately or gradually that can lead to death, damage the body, result in dangerous illnesses or harm the mind,'' Dr Abdul Shukor was quoted as saying by NST.

"E-cigarettea and vapes are categorised as repulsive due to its harming effects and smell bad.

"They also have an element of wastage, which is by spending money on things that are harmful and non-beneficial," he added.

He said using e-cigarette could be equated to drinking poison and smoking conventional cigarettes.

"We are seeing women and school children showing interest in vape. The decision is made to prevent an unhealthy culture from spreading to future generations," he added.

The council chairman also urged all Malaysian states that had yet to issue a fatwa on e-cigarettes and vapes to use the national fatwa council's decision as reference.

So far, four states have banned vapes, namely Penang, Kedah, Johor and Kelantan.