Addressing Tobacco Use: Has the Muslim Discourse Maximized Its Potential?

Abstract This paper argues that the contemporary Islamic discourse on tobacco use is apologetic and void of originality. It falls short in examining the historical, philosophical, medical, and political premises of the modern public health discourse and in adhering to the methods of Islamic normativity. In effect, it adopts the medical and political blameworthiness of tobacco use as blameworthiness in the hereafter. The paper demonstrates the dissonance by expounding on the political and medical premises in the public health discourse, as well as the pertinent ethical critique. The paper provides recommendations for an alternative approach, one that is well premised in Islamic sciences and informed by modern evidence. Through shifting to political support of tobacco control rather than categorically stigmatizing tobacco use, the Muslim discourse can regain its originality and independence. More importantly, the Muslim discourse should proactively guide education that aims to build moral agency through tobacco use as an applied example.