It’s a hot Ramadan afternoon, and your energy is low. Normally you’d step out for a quick smoke or grab your vape, but today you’re fasting. The craving kicks in. You wonder if you can sneak a nicotine fix without breaking your fast. Or do you have to tough it out?
Ramadan is a month of spiritual renewal and physical discipline, where we fast from dawn to sunset. It’s not just about skipping meals — it’s a journey of self-control, empathy, and reflection. Yet for those of us who use nicotine — whether through cigarettes, snus, or vaping — fasting can raise some tricky questions.
A common question we hear is, “Will using snus or vaping during fasting hours break my fast?” It’s a dilemma — you want to honor your fast. Still, you also worry about nicotine withdrawal or undoing your progress in quitting. That’s why we put together this guide. We’ll explore the Islamic perspective. What do respected scholars say about nicotine use while fasting? We’ll also look at the health effects of using or avoiding nicotine during a fast. Plus, we’ll share practical tips to get through the day without a puff or a pouch. All of this is tailored to products like snus, nicotine pouches, and vapes.
Maybe you switched to vaping to quit smoking, and now Ramadan is testing your willpower. Or you’re used to a morning nicotine pouch to start your day, and suddenly, you have to manage without it until sunset. Whatever your situation, we get it — it’s not easy, and it’s okay to have questions or struggles along the way.
So, how do you balance a habit like nicotine with the spiritual demands of fasting? Is Ramadan the perfect chance to cut down or quit? Or can you find a way to manage those cravings without compromising your fast? We’ll explore all that with empathy and honesty. Let’s find out together.
Fasting in Ramadan: What It Means for Daily Habits
Spiritual and Physical Aspects
Fasting during Ramadan is much more than skipping meals. It’s a time to reconnect with your inner self. It’s also a chance to strengthen your relationship with Allah. When you fast, you set aside physical needs to focus on spiritual growth. This intentional abstinence is meant to foster self-discipline, empathy for those in need, and a heightened awareness of your actions. We all know how easy it is to reach for a quick bite or a sip of water out of habit. But during Ramadan, even these small actions take on a deeper significance.
Islamic teachings are very clear about what breaks a fast. Anything you deliberately ingest – whether food, drink or even smoke – nullifies your fast. Esteemed scholars like Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin have emphasized this. Inhaling any substance, such as cigarette or vape smoke, introduces particles into your body. It works much like food does. In this way, every sip, bite, or puff during fasting hours is seen as breaking the fast. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reassured us. If you accidentally eat or drink without realizing it, your fast remains intact. This compassionate view reminds us that our faith understands human error.
Have you ever experienced that moment when you forgot you were fasting and took a sip of water? It happens, and it’s okay. Ramadan isn’t meant to be a burden but a pathway to self-improvement. By consciously refraining from all consumable substances, you’re not just testing your physical limits but also nurturing your spiritual well-being. Reflect on how these moments of restraint can build inner strength and help you gain better control over your daily habits. We all have challenges during fasting, but each day offers a fresh start to grow stronger and more disciplined.
Contemporary Concerns
In today’s world, modern habits often clash with traditional practices, and fasting during Ramadan is no exception. Many of us have established routines that include using tobacco or nicotine products like cigarettes, snus, or vaping devices. You might wonder: How do these habits fit within the sacred boundaries of Ramadan? The simple answer is that any deliberate intake of substances—inhalation or oral consumption—breaks the fast.
Renowned scholars and fatwas confirm that smoking or vaping invalidates your fast. For instance, a widely cited fatwa explains that even the light vapor from an e-cigarette carries particles. These particles enter your system, just like traditional smoke. This means that whether it’s a cigarette, shisha, or snus, the rule remains the same. Inhaling or swallowing any substance during fasting hours nullifies your fast.
These modern dilemmas can be particularly challenging if you rely on nicotine throughout the day. Imagine the adjustment: you’re accustomed to a regular smoke break, and now you must endure long hours without that familiar routine. This isn’t just about physical dependency—it’s also about breaking a long-held habit. We understand the frustration when cravings arise and every hour seems to stretch forever. However, many find that Ramadan, with its enforced discipline, provides a unique opportunity to reassess these habits.
Consider this: what if this period of fasting could be the catalyst for change? Rather than viewing the abstention as a loss, see it as a chance to reclaim control over your health and habits. As you face these challenges, remember that you’re not alone—millions of Muslims are navigating similar struggles during Ramadan. Reflect on your routines: how might temporarily giving up nicotine open the door to long-term improvements? Let this Ramadan be a journey of both spiritual fulfillment and personal empowerment.
A Look at the Product Range
Swedish Snus and Nicotine Pouches
Snus (Tobacco) and nicotine pouches have become popular go-to alternatives for smokers, especially during Ramadan when fasting all day means traditional smoking is off-limits. Snus is a moist powdered tobacco (originating from Sweden) that you tuck under your upper lip. It delivers nicotine slowly without any need to light up, producing no smoke or ash. Nicotine pouches are a modern twist on this idea – they look like tiny tea bags filled with nicotine (but usually no tobacco) and sit under the lip just like snus
A can of nicotine pouches (Velo brand) with all-white portions – a tobacco-free, smokeless nicotine product. These products are often touted as safer than smoking, and while that claim is up for debate, there’s no doubt they’ve helped people avoid inhaling smoke. During the Ramadan nights, some find snus or nicotine pouches helpful to manage cravings once the fast is broken. For example, after iftar (the meal at sunset), a former smoker might prefer a nicotine pouch to avoid rushing for a cigarette. It’s a small comfort that can take the edge off without the harshness of smoke on a dry throat. Notably, there are even tobacco-free and nicotine-free options now for those who want the ritual without the hit. Brands like VELO have introduced flavors such as Ice Cool and Tropic Breeze in “Zero” versions – meaning the pouches contain 0% nicotine and no tobacco
Caffeine Pouches, Vape Products, and Tobacco-Free & Nicotine-Free Alternatives
If nicotine isn’t on the menu but you still want a little pick-me-up, caffeine pouches could be your friend. Think of them as small energy boosts in a pouch. Instead of tobacco or nicotine, they’re filled with caffeine (often derived from coffee) and flavorings. You use them just like a snus or nicotine pouch. Tuck one under your lip and let it slowly release caffeine into your system. It’s like having a slow-release cup of coffee, minus the actual drinking. Each pouch can pack a surprising punch. One popular brand’s pouch has roughly the caffeine of a quarter cup of coffee (about 20–25 mg). It helps you stay alert.
During Ramadan, you might miss your usual morning java jolt. A caffeine pouch in the evening, after breaking your fast, can give you a gentle energy lift. Of course, it won’t satisfy a nicotine craving. Still, it can help with the grogginess or caffeine withdrawal some people feel during the day. The best part is these caffeine pouches contain no nicotine or tobacco, so you’re purely getting a caffeine buzz. That means they won’t violate any nicotine restrictions you’ve set for yourself during fasting hours. You’d use them only after sunset, just like any food or drink. The experience is more about the flavor and alertness. Plus, holding a pouch in your lip can mimic the hand-to-mouth habit in a subtle way. Some former smokers find this comforting.
Next up are e-cigarettes or “vapes,” which have surged in popularity in recent years. Vaping devices heat a liquid (often called e-juice) to create vapor that users inhale. Many smokers have switched to vapes as a smoke-free alternative, enjoying the variety of flavors and the fact that there’s no tobacco and usually less odor. You’ll find people vaping in the evenings during Ramadan because it can feel less harsh than smoking a cigarette after a long day of not eating or drinking. However, a common question is whether vaping breaks the fast – and the consensus is that it does. Inhaling any kind of substance (be it smoke or vapor with flavor/nicotine) is considered breaking the fast in the same way smoking would
For those who want the sensation of vaping without nicotine, there are options. Maybe you’ve quit nicotine or prefer to avoid it at night. A whole range of tobacco-free, nicotine-free products is available after fasting hours.
Assortment of disposable vape devices with different flavors – many brands offer nicotine-free (0mg) options for a purely flavorful experience. For example, try the Aroma King Gem 600, a compact disposable e-cig that delivers about 600 puffs of flavorful vapor with 0mg nicotine. Another option is the Chill Zero disposable, with around 3000 puffs worth of e-liquid and no nicotine. If you want something that lasts even longer, the Hayati Pro Max 4000 offers up to 4000 puffs and is designed with zero nicotine as well
With options like caffeine pouches and nicotine-free vapes, staying smoke-free during Ramadan becomes easier. You can save your chosen treat for the night. Enjoy it in moderation and within the bounds of your fast.
The key is finding what works for you. This way, you can maintain the spirit of Ramadan while managing cravings in a healthier, more mindful way.
Islamic Perspectives on Using Snus and Vape During Ramadan
General Islamic Rulings on Ingestion and Inhalation
In Islam, fasting means abstaining from deliberate intake during daylight hours in Ramadan. Traditionally, this includes refraining from eating, drinking, and anything considered nourishment or ingestion from dawn until sunset
Beyond food and drink, scholars have extended these rules to inhaled substances. Islamic jurists across different schools of thought generally agree on this. They state that intentionally inhaling anything with substance, like smoke or vapor, can break the fast.
For example, Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn, a renowned scholar, addressed this issue. He explained that incense smoke should be avoided while fasting. This is because incense contains particles that can reach the stomach. He implied that inhaling such particles intentionally would nullify the fast.
The Hanafi school holds a similar view. Classical texts, such as Radd al-Muhtar, state a clear ruling. If a person deliberately inhales smoke or vapor while fasting, one’s fast would become invalid. The reasoning behind this is straightforward. These fumes carry tangible particles—such as odors, nicotine, and other substances—into the throat or stomach. This process is considered analogous to eating or drinking.
It’s important to note the role of intention and avoidability. Scholars are compassionate regarding unintentional inhalation – you won’t break your fast by simply breathing air that has impurities or by catching a whiff of something without meaning to
Specific Perspectives on Modern Nicotine and Tobacco Products
Snus & Nicotine Pouches: Modern smokeless tobacco products like snus (moist tobacco placed under the lip) or nicotine pouches raise similar concerns in Islamic law. Most scholars consider them analogous to smoking in terms of fasting rules. Shaykh ʿAbdullāh ibn Jibrīn, among others, noted that “smokeless tobacco… is no different from the ruling on cigarettes” in its prohibition
Vape Products: The advent of e-cigarettes and vaping has prompted new questions, and scholars have deliberated on whether vaping is equivalent to smoking in terms of breaking the fast. The prevalent view across schools of thought is that vaping does invalidate the fast because even though it’s “vapor” and not traditional smoke, one is still inhaling substances into the body. The vapor from e-cigarettes often contains nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals that reach the lungs and stomach when inhaled. Islamic rulings have applied the same principle: inhaling the vapor is a form of intake. A contemporary fatwa in the Hanafi tradition, for instance, explicitly states that using an e-cigarette while fasting “will nullify the fast as the usage of an e-cigarette entails the inhaling of vapor that nullifies the fast.”
Caffeine & Tobacco-Free/Nicotine-Free Products: What about products that have no tobacco or, nicotine, or other non-nutritive aids used during fasting? Islamic scholars generally draw a distinction between ingestive acts and non-ingestive aids. Suppose a product doesn’t involve consuming a substance through the mouth, nose, or other entryways. In that case, it may be viewed more leniently. For example, nicotine patches (or other medicated skin patches) deliver substances through the skin, not via an open body orifice. Many scholars say that such patches do not break the fast because nothing enters the stomach; classical rulings mention that anything absorbed through the skin is not considered “feeding” the body in the fasting context. The Jordanian Fatwa Department cited medieval scholars, noting “any material that enters the body through the skin doesn’t invalidate fast”
On the other hand, tobacco-free or nicotine-free alternatives that still involve oral or inhaled usage are approached with caution. If, for instance, someone uses a herbal shisha or a vape with only flavor and no nicotine, some contemporary scholars might not label it as categorically haram outside of fasting (since the harmful, addictive element is absent). According to one Islam Q&A discussion, a vape composed purely of natural flavoring and no toxic ingredients “is not considered haram” in itself
Customer Guidance: Making Informed Choices
Understanding Product Labels and Usage
When choosing products during Ramadan, understanding what’s in them is key. You may find yourself in a store or browsing online, wondering which product aligns with your fasting practices. We recommend starting with the label. Look for clear information on whether a product contains nicotine, tobacco, or caffeine—or if it’s completely free of these. For instance, if you’re considering using Ramadan snus or nicotine pouches after iftar, check if the product is marked “Snus Halal” or “Nicotine Halal.” This not only tells you about its ingredients but also signals that the product has been formulated with health and fasting guidelines in mind.
Take a moment to read through the ingredient list and any usage instructions provided. It might sound simple, but knowing the difference between nicotine-containing products and those that are nicotine-free can help you make choices that respect your fast and personal health goals. Have you ever found that a small detail on the label changed your mind about a product? We’ve all experienced that aha moment when transparency in product labeling makes all the difference. By staying informed, you’re not only protecting your fast but also making choices that support your overall well-being during this sacred month.
Consultation with Religious Authorities and Community Support
It’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when balancing modern product use with religious obligations. If you’re unsure about whether a particular product might affect your fast, consider reaching out to a trusted religious authority or scholar. We all need guidance sometimes, and consulting with knowledgeable individuals can provide clarity and peace of mind. Whether it’s a well-known local imam or a respected online fatwa service, their advice can help you navigate your challenges while maintaining your faith.
Moreover, you’re not alone in this journey. Many in our community face similar challenges during Ramadan—whether it’s managing nicotine cravings or learning to read product labels more critically. Community support can be a powerful tool. Perhaps join a local or online support group where experiences and tips are shared openly. When you hear stories of others who have successfully adjusted their habits, it can motivate you to take positive steps. What small change could you make this Ramadan that might lead to bigger improvements over time? Remember, we’re all in this together, supporting each other as we strive for spiritual growth and healthier lifestyle choices.