The government is considering relocating cigarettes to the non-Halal sections of supermarkets, convenience stores, and other outlets.

According to a report by Harian Metro, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr. Mohd Ma’im Mokhtar, stated that a proposal on this matter will be discussed, noting that cigarettes have been declared Haram since 1995.

He mentioned that his team will review the proposal in collaboration with the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

“From our perspective, this aligns with the fatwa banning cigarettes. The decision on whether cigarettes can be placed in the Halal section falls under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN). I will discuss this matter with them,” he explained.

Cigarettes were declared Haram in 1995, with vape and electronic cigarettes being declared so in 2015. In Malaysia, there are approximately 4.8 million smokers, and smoking-related causes account for around 27,200 deaths annually.