The ruling on one who prays with tobacco in his pocket

Q: What is the ruling on one who prays with tobacco in his pocket, whether he is forgetful or intentional?

A: Smoking is among the forbidden things that are harmful to humans, and it is among the evil things that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has forbidden. Likewise, the rest of the intoxicants from all types of alcohol are forbidden because of the great harm in them. Likewise, qat, which is known among the people of Yemen and others, is forbidden because of the many harms in it, and many scholars have explicitly stated its prohibition.
Tobacco contains much impurity and much harm, so it is not permissible to smoke it, sell it, buy it, or trade in it. And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) said in His great Book: [Al-Ma'idah: 4]. So Allah has not made the impurities lawful for us, and tobacco is not among the good things; rather, it is foul in taste, foul in smell, and great in harm. It is a cause of sudden death and a cause of many diseases—as mentioned by doctors—among them cancer. So the point is: it is very harmful, impure, and it is forbidden to sell it, buy it, or trade in it.
As for praying while it is in his pocket, that does not harm, so the prayer is valid; because it is a plant that is not ritually impure, but it is forbidden and reprehensible as mentioned before. However, if he prays while it is in his pocket intentionally or forgetfully, his prayer is valid, and it is obligatory for him to destroy it, be cautious of it, and repent to Allah for what has passed of his using it.