MUI Declares Vaping Haram: Here Is the Explanation

JAKARTA — The Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has officially issued MUI Fatwa No. 131 of 2026 on the legal status of using electronic cigarettes (REL), or vapes.

The MUI Fatwa Commission said the prohibition covers not only their use but the entire supply chain, from production to trade.

The decision was signed in Jakarta on 6 November 2026 by MUI Fatwa Affairs chairman Prof KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh and deputy secretary-general for Fatwa Affairs Dr KH Aminuddin Yaqub. It was witnessed by MUI chairman KH Anwar Iskandar and secretary-general Buya Amirsyah Tambunan.

MUI Fatwa Affairs chairman Prof KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh outlined the considerations behind the fatwa’s issuance.

He said the use of e-cigarettes had tangible adverse effects on society, both in terms of health and social impacts.

“Using electronic cigarettes (REL) or vapes is haram because they endanger health, damage the environment and, as a preventive measure (sadd al-dzari’ah), to ensure they are not used as a means of circulating or consuming narcotics, psychotropic substances and other addictive substances,” Prof Niam said, quoting the first point of the fatwa’s legal provisions, according to the MUI’s official website in Jakarta on Monday (9 November 2026).

The fatwa describes an e-cigarette as a battery-powered device that heats substances containing nicotine, glycerine and flavourings to produce vapour for inhalation.

The MUI highlighted the nicotine in these products, describing it as addictive and warning of serious negative effects on the nervous system and overall health.

The fatwa extends beyond consumers and users to cover business activities and misuse.

The second and third points of the ruling explicitly state that misusing vapes to consume narcotics, psychotropic substances and other addictive substances is haram.