Can You Vape During Ramadan?

Can You Vape During Ramadan?

Ramadan is a sacred time for Muslims, marked by fasting from dawn until sunset as an act of worship and spiritual reflection. During the fast, eating, drinking, and certain physical indulgences are strictly avoided. But with the rise of modern habits like vaping, many people now ask whether using a vape breaks the fast—and whether it is allowed during Ramadan at all.

The short answer is that vaping during fasting hours is generally not permitted, as it breaks the fast according to most Islamic scholars. However, the full picture depends on when and how vaping is done, and what Islamic guidance says about its usage overall.

Does Vaping Break the Fast?

According to the majority of Islamic scholars and fatwas, vaping does break the fast. The principle behind fasting is to abstain from anything that enters the body cavity through a known entry point, such as the mouth or nose. Vaping introduces vapour—containing nicotine, flavourings and other substances—directly into the lungs via the mouth. Even though it’s not food or drink in the traditional sense, it is still considered as something that nourishes or refreshes the body, and therefore invalidates the fast.

This is similar to the ruling on smoking, which is also unanimously agreed to break the fast, regardless of whether it involves tobacco or other substances. The same logic applies to vaping: it provides satisfaction, it involves inhalation through the mouth, and it introduces substances into the body—all of which go against the conditions of fasting.

Can You Vape After Iftar?

Yes, you can vape after iftar, once the fast has officially ended for the day. Just like eating or drinking, vaping becomes permissible during non-fasting hours—between sunset and dawn. However, many religious leaders advise moderation, even during this time, especially if vaping is being used recreationally or in a way that distracts from prayer or spiritual focus.

If you’re trying to quit smoking or vaping during Ramadan, it may be a good opportunity to reduce your usage altogether, rather than relying heavily on it after sunset. Many find that the structure and discipline of fasting provide a helpful framework for cutting back or stopping altogether.

What If You Vape By Mistake?

If you accidentally vape during fasting hours—out of habit or forgetfulness—your fast may still be valid. In Islamic teaching, unintentional acts do not invalidate the fast as long as they are not done knowingly or deliberately. However, as soon as you realise what you’ve done, you should stop immediately and continue fasting for the rest of the day.

If you're unsure about your specific situation, it's best to consult with a local imam or religious scholar who can provide guidance based on your intent and understanding.

Does It Matter If the Vape Has No Nicotine?

Some people assume that nicotine-free vapes are allowed during fasting because they contain no addictive or intoxicating substance. However, the issue in Islamic law isn’t just the chemical content—it’s the act of inhaling something that enters the body and reaches internal systems. Even without nicotine, the vapour itself is a physical substance being drawn in and processed by the lungs and bloodstream. As such, it is still considered to break the fast, regardless of nicotine strength or flavour.

Whether your vape contains 20mg of nicotine or none at all, the ruling generally stays the same: do not use it during fasting hours.

What About Passive Exposure to Vapour?

Being in the presence of someone else who is vaping does not break your fast, as long as you are not intentionally inhaling the vapour. Passive exposure—like walking past someone vaping outdoors—does not count as deliberate intake. However, if you're in a confined space where vapour is heavily concentrated and you breathe it in directly, it may be safer to avoid those situations altogether to protect both your fast and your spiritual focus.

As with secondhand smoke, the key issue in fasting is deliberate consumption, not accidental or environmental exposure.

Vaping and the Spiritual Goals of Ramadan

Even beyond the technical rules, Ramadan is a time of self-restraint, purification, and detachment from habits that distract from worship. Vaping—even outside fasting hours—can become a point of reflection. Is it helping or hindering your discipline? Is it feeding a craving or helping you break one? If vaping is tied to stress relief, boredom, or emotional habit, Ramadan can be a powerful time to explore what role it plays in your life and whether it's something worth letting go of for good.

Many people choose Ramadan as a starting point to reduce or quit vaping altogether—not just for health reasons, but to align more closely with the purpose of the holy month.

Can You Use Nicotine Pouches or Patches While Fasting?

While this goes slightly beyond vaping, it’s a relevant concern for those trying to manage cravings. Nicotine patches, when applied to the skin, do not involve oral or internal entry and are generally considered acceptable during fasting by some scholars. Nicotine pouches, however, are placed inside the mouth and are absorbed through oral tissues—so they would break the fast.

If you're using vaping for nicotine delivery and want to continue fasting, switching to patches may be a better short-term solution, but it's still best to confirm with a trusted Islamic authority.

Final Word

You cannot vape while fasting during Ramadan, as inhaling vapour is considered to break the fast under Islamic law. Like food, drink, or smoking, vaping is seen as introducing a substance into the body, which disrupts the spiritual purity of the fast. You may vape after sunset once the fast has ended, but moderation and intention still matter. If you're thinking of quitting or cutting down, Ramadan can be a meaningful time to make that change.