Vapeboss – The Head of the Institute for the Study and Development of Human Resources (Lakpesdam) of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Muhammad Nurkhoiron, made a rather surprising statement, as he supports the use of alternative tobacco products or vapes as an effort to reduce the risk of tobacco consumption in Indonesia.

“Supporting policies based on scientific knowledge that have developed in relation to nicotine, cigarettes, and harm reduction,” said Nurkhoiron at the Innovation Summit Southeast Asia 2023, quoted Wednesday (17/5/2023).

According to him, supporting these products is a manifestation of prioritizing benefit (maslahah), appreciating science-based innovation by the industry, and fulfilling the rights of adult smokers who have not been able to quit smoking.

Nurkhoiron explained that in determining the organization's stance, PBNU always adheres to the maslahah approach, which is looking at various perspectives to determine benefits and harms.

“So it's not just black and white. Not immediately declaring it haram or halal. We will look at the maslahah. In the context of smoking, this harm reduction effort through alternative tobacco products is what is maslahah,” he explained.

Nurkhoiron also encouraged the Indonesian government to take the same stance as Nahdlatul Ulama, which is to be wise and open to alternative tobacco products, such as nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products.

“Faced with constantly innovating cigarette products, the state should be able to adopt them so that its policy choices can be more moderate, accommodating various stakeholders," he concluded.

Source: Suara

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