Muhammadiyah urges BPJPH to implement non-halal labelling on cigarettes to protect public

The Majelis Tarjih and Tajdid of PP Muhammadiyah, alongside the Muhammadiyah Tobacco Control Network (MTCN), are advocating for non-halal labelling on cigarettes to the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) in order to protect public health.

The Majelis Tarjih and Tajdid, together with the MTCN, held an audience with the BPJPH to confirm and convey their stance that cigarettes and vapes are non-halal products, in accordance with Muhammadiyah’s fatwas declaring them haram.

Ustad Nur Fajri Romadhon, a representative of the Majelis Tarbih and Tajdid PP Muhammadiyah, stated in Jakarta on Friday that this stance is based on Muhammadiyah Fatwa No. 6/SM/MTT/III/2010 regarding smoking and Fatwa No. 01/PER/I.1/E/2020 regarding electronic cigarettes. The objective of these fatwas is to strive for the maintenance and improvement of public health to the highest possible level and to create an environment conducive to a healthy lifestyle, which is a fundamental right and a part of the objectives of Sharia (maqash_ash_syari’ah).

“Smoking falls into the category of committing khabaits (QS 7:157), contains elements of leading oneself to destruction (QS 2:195 & QS 4:29), and endangers oneself and others (QS 17:26-27); cigarettes are recognised as addictive substances containing toxic elements,” he said.

Furthermore, Nur Fajri noted that those who do not smoke must protect themselves and their families from attempting to smoke, while current smokers must make every effort within their capability to quit the habit. The organisation has maintained a firm stance for over a decade that smoking is haram.

Roosita Melani Dewi, Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Tobacco Control Network (MTCN), highlighted data and studies regarding the harmful impacts of tobacco products on lower-income communities. She argued that if cigarettes were labelled as non-halal, it would reduce the direct negative impact on society by decreasing consumption. She emphasised that policies must prioritise protecting the people from the health, environmental, and household economic impacts of these products.

Mukhaer Pakkanna from the Majelis Ekonomi PP Muhammadiyah added a deeper socio-economic dimension. Citing his work in the book ‘Drakula Ekonomi’, he described how the negative externalities of tobacco production significantly hit lower-middle-class groups, who are the most frequent consumers due to the addictive nature of the product.

“For too long, tobacco industry workers and farmers have been used as a ‘shield’. This is a mistake,” Mukhaer stated, noting that the welfare of these workers is actually far below what it should be.

Similarly, Naufal Yumna, representing the Health Division of the Muhammadiyah Students Association (IPM), stated that halal certification for cigarettes risks misleading public perception into believing that smoking is a safe and religiously permitted product. “IPM is committed to continuing anti-smoking campaigns as a form of tangible protection for the younger generation,” he said.

Responding to these concerns, the Head of BPJPH, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Haikal Hasan, acknowledged substantively that cigarettes are not halal products. However, he noted that the BPJPH is bound by the rulings of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), and the MUI has yet to issue a final decision due to differing opinions among scholars.

During the discussion, Prof. Haikal drew an analogy between non-halal products like alcohol and cigarettes, noting that both have restricted distribution and require buyers to show identification as a means of public protection.

The meeting concluded with Mukhaer Pakkanna presenting the book ‘Drakula Ekonomi’ to the Head of BPJPH as a scientific reference to support the argument that tobacco products should be classified as non-halal.