Let me share a memory. In 1982, I was called as an Imam to visit a dying man at the General Hospital in Birmingham. There were no Muslim chaplains in hospitals in those days. He had lung cancer and was in his final moments. The young man who brought me said quietly, “He’s my cousin… a chain-smoker.” In a small side room, he lay enclosed in an oxygen bubble. When he saw us, his eyes lit up, but he struggled desperately to breathe. Each gasp was laboured, painful. I began reading Surah Yaseen. It was a deeply distressing sight, one that has never left me, a stark reminder of smoking’s devastating end. Well, I can give you good news, we won’t see such death again. Insha-Allah.
Tobacco and Vapes Bill
This week marks a historic moment in the life of our country. The Labour government has passed the Tobacco and Vapes Act into law, a bold and far-reaching piece of legislation that aims to create the UK’s first ‘smoke-free generation’. So, every child born on or after 1 January 2009 will never legally be sold cigarettes. For the first time in modern history, a society has taken a decisive step not merely to regulate a harmful habit, but to phase it out entirely for future generations.
A Fatwa on Smoking: A Call to Protect Life and Faith
More than two decades ago, I gave a fatwa, an Islamic ruling that smoking is forbidden. The fatwa made it clear that smoking is not merely disliked but forbidden (Haram). I wrote then, “For many years, Muslims treated smoking as a minor issue, but modern scientific evidence has removed any doubt. Cigarettes contain hundreds of harmful chemicals, many of which cause cancer and serious disease. Smoking damages the body, shortens life, and harms others through passive smoke. It is, in effect, a slow form of self-destruction.” (Click HERE to read the full fatwa)
Islamic law helps to preserve life and well-being. The Quranic command “Do not kill yourselves” and the Prophetic teachings against harm and addiction provide strong foundations for this ruling. The Fatwa also highlighted the social and economic cost of smoking.
The Khan Review
Prof Javed Khan OBE, former CEO of Branado’s, was commissioned to review smoking legislation in 2022. It’s known as The Khan Review 2022; its message was that smoking is no longer just a health issue but a societal failure that must be eliminated. In short, Khan translated what I argued religiously into public policy language: make smoking obsolete. Alhamdulillah, it has been made.
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK, killing 80,000 people every year and contributing to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. There are 5.3 million smokers in the UK (I estimate that there are 500,000 Muslim smokers). Behind these statistics lie broken families, prolonged suffering, and immense strain on our healthcare system.
Dangers of Smoking
Smoking has also deepened social inequalities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable in society. This new law seeks to break that cycle once and for all. The legislation focuses on helping current smokers and vape users to quit, but more importantly, prevents future generations from ever starting. It recognises a profound truth: the most effective way to defeat addiction is to stop it before it begins. In doing so, it shifts the focus from treatment to prevention, a principle that resonates deeply with both public health wisdom and Islamic moral responsibility. This is also the cornerstone of Islamic Jurisprudence; in Shariah, it’s called Sadd al-Dhara’i’, the prevention of harmful practices.
Another powerful dimension of the law is its commitment to protecting others from harm. Islamic Shariah has a maxim, ‘neither be harmed nor harm others’. It strengthens smoke-free regulations in public places, especially where children and vulnerable individuals may be exposed to second-hand smoke. This is a reminder that our actions are never purely individual. Choices that harm the body also affect families, communities, and society. The law is backed by practical measures to ensure its success. It includes stronger enforcement powers, the possibility of licensing retailers, and efforts to tackle illegal sales of tobacco and vaping products.
Conclusion
The vision of a smoke-free generation is a moral aspiration and a public health goal. It reflects a commitment to safeguarding the health and future of our children. So, let’s recognise and celebrate it. It is a rare example of long-term thinking in a world often driven by short-term gains.
We should congratulate the Prime Minister for his bold position. It is an investment in the well-being of future generations, Rahmah, an act of care for children. As we reflect on this development, we are invited to ask ourselves: what other gems lie in the Islamic way of living that, if practised, could save lives and build a healthier society?
This is the kind of solution we must present to our leaders. It reflects The Rahman’s compassion. This law offers a hopeful answer. Islamic moral and spiritual values are direly needed by society. It shows that change is possible, that courage in leadership can bring about lasting good, and that a better future can be built when we prioritise the well-being of our children. This is the time for Muslims to recognise the golden rules of Islamic Shariah. Had this been adopted in the past, how many millions of lives would have been saved? “So, will the intelligent people learn a lesson?” (Qamar: 17).
