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.