Muhammadiyah backs Indonesian police crackdown on drug-laced vapes

Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - Muhammadiyah's Central Board has backed police efforts to crack down on e-cigarettes containing illicit drugs, saying the move aligns with its 2020 religious ruling prohibiting vaping.

Muhammadiyah Central Board Chairman Syamsul Anwar said in Yogyakarta on Monday that the ruling was issued under Decree No. 01/PER/I.1/E/2020 in January 2020.

"The fatwa prohibiting vaping has already been issued," Syamsul said.

Muhammadiyah therefore supports government agencies, including the National Police, in curbing e-cigarette distribution, particularly products containing illicit drugs.

"We fully support this. The fatwa has already been issued, so we must back policies consistent with it. We cannot issue a fatwa and then take a different position," he said.

Following the ruling, Muhammadiyah established the Muhammadiyah Tobacco Control Network (MTCN) as its leading body for tobacco and e-cigarette control efforts.

The network carries out its activities in cooperation with universities and Muhammadiyah-affiliated institutions.

"MTCN operates within Muhammadiyah. It is responsible for handling these efforts on the ground," he said.

Chairman of Muhammadiyah's Tarjih and Tajdid Council Ustadi Hamsah added that the organization adheres to decisions issued by the council.

"The principle upheld by the Tarjih and Tajdid Council, and by Muhammadiyah, is to stand by decisions already made," Ustadi said.

He said the council was responsible for formulating and issuing rulings on religious matters, which are subsequently communicated to relevant departments and institutions.

"We leave the follow-up and implementation of these fatwas to the relevant institutions, which should refer to the decisions," he said.

Related news: Police uncover home-based drug vape factory involving foreigners

Related news: Indonesian National Police ban e-cigarettes for all personnel

Translator: Agung DP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2026