Malaysian states stub out smoking

Malaysian states stub out smoking

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A ruling by two Malaysian states that smoking is "sinful" has met with protests by Moslems and tobacco growers, but Islamic clerics yesterday assured that the move was not yet official.

Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin, director-general of the state-run Islamic Center, said Moslems should not panic as a final decision was yet to be made on a federal basis.

"We will announce the outcome of our study once it is completed," said Abdul Hamid, who added it was better to educate Moslems than to introduce regulations to solve problems.

The Islamic bodies in northern Kedah and central Selangor states last week ruled that smoking was "haram" (sinful) as it could endanger a person's health.