My husband does not fast in Ramadan because he is a smoker. Can he make up for the fast by observing a sort of expiation or paying money?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

Smoking is prohibited because it harmful to one’s health and wastes  money, not to mention the bad smell of smoking that may disturb people at mosques and places where people may meet with a smoker while he is not fasting. The Muslim is not allowed to give up an obligation and a fundament of Islamic faith because he wants to smoke. One’s faith is at danger if he does so. Giving up fasting for smoking is indicative of one’s weak faith and his enslavement to Satan and personal whims. That being said, your husband must turn to Allaah in repentance. No expiation can make up for one’s missed fasts so long as he is able to fast.

Allaah Knows best.