As on 15 December 2024, the Maldives has officially banned vaping and its assciated trade following an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act. The new regulations prohibit the sale, distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes, vapes, and vaping devices.
Under the amended law, individuals caught importing vapes or related products will face a fine of MVR 50,000, with an additional MVR 10,000 fine for each e-cigarette or vape unit brought into the country. Selling such products will result in a fine of MVR 20,000, plus an additional MVR 10,000 per unit sold. Even the free distribution of these products carries a fine of MVR 10,000. If these products are sold to minors, the fine increases to MVR 50,000.
The bill also raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 and prohibits smoking in government offices located within private buildings.
Ali Ihusan, the Minister of Homeland, Security and Technology, told Mihaaru News that the ministry took the initiative to ban vaping because vape cartridges are often injected with drugs. He noted that students are enticed by these items and recruited, highlighting that drugs have been found in vape sticks during recent drug operations.
The government has acknowledged that vaping has become a national issue, with its prevalence even among students within school premises. The Maldives joins more than 30 countries, including seven of the region’s 11 nations, that have already banned vaping.
The comprehensive ban on vaping and related products in the Maldives demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing drug concerns and protecting youth from the potential harms associated with these devices. As the country enforces these strict measures, it sets an example for other nations grappling with the growing prevalence of vaping among young people.
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