Muslims who smoke cigarettes produced by Jewish companies are complicit in the killings of the Palestinian people, said the Penang Consumers Protection Association.
Its president Koris Atan ( right ) claimed such companies contribute 10 per cent of their profits to Israel to fight the cause against their Muslim neighbours.
Koris, who is also Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-pressident, said he has "industry documents" to prove his claims.
"Why ask others to boycott this and that products by the Jews, do it yourself, and start by boycotting cigarettes from Jewish-owned companies," he told Muslims who condemned Israel's attack against Palestine.
In a war that spanned nearly five decades, worldwide criticisms have mounted against Israel which has recently launched an offensive on the Gaza Strip - which has reportedly claimed more than 150 lives.
"This is also the right time to announce the boycott, in view of Ramadan and Hari Raya celebrations. If Muslims can stop smoking during fasting, why not stop the habit altogether, forever?" he queried.
Koris, who is the former chairperson of the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control, said industry documents show that 70 per cent among those who smoke are Malays.
He urged Muslims who are working in companies owned by Jewish businessmen loyal to Israel to resign immediately and stop their "hypocrisy".
He also condemned Putrajaya for receiving taxes from the sale of cigarettes derived from such companies.
He described such monies as "haram" (illegal), saying it should be redistributed to the non-Muslims and a separate account should be opened for such taxes.
"Stop lumping the money together with the halal tax. This money can perhaps be used to upgrade schools and other beneficial stuff related to non-Muslims," he said.
Best time to kick the habit
Meanwhile, recalling that the National Fatwa Council has decreed that smoking is "unislamic", Koris questioned why are Muslims not complying with the guideline.
Since smoking is unislamic, Koris urged the government to help farmers working in tobacco farms in Kelantan, Perlis and Sabah to switch crops as most farmers are Muslims.
He suggested that perhaps, the government can help the farmers grow tomatoes, chilli or other plants.
Such a move would protect the food and job security of poor farmers, who are mostly living and working in the rural Malay heartland, Koris said.
"This is the right time to help them as it is in line with the Ramadan spirit. No non-Muslim will object to the government helping out poor farmers.
"Why can't Malaysia be a non-tobacco farming nation?.
"Bottom line is, if Malaysia do not take up these measures to stop smoking or to import cigarettes produced by Jewish companies, then the government is also supporting the killing of Palestinians," stressed Koris, who is also George Town Heritage site smoke-free zone promotion, publicity and information chairperson.
"The government should be responsible and start being serious about this to show their sincerity in saying they are in solidarity with Palestinians," he quipped.
Source - Yahoo.news
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