Maldives to Implement Nationwide Vape Ban

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a comprehensive ban on vape and vape-related products in the Maldives. The President detailed the new changes via X (formerly Twitter), instructing relevant authorities to implement the ban over two specific dates.

According to the President’s post, the import of all vape products and individual parts of vape devices will become illegal starting November 15, 2024. Furthermore, the use, possession, production, sale, advertisement, and distribution of all vape products will be prohibited from December 15, 2024.

ވޭޕްކުރުމަށް ބޭނުންކުރާ ތަކެއްޗާއި، އެ ތަކެތީގެ ވަކިވަކި ބައިތައް ދިވެހިރާއްޖެއަށް އެތެރުކުރުން 15 ނޮވެމްބަރ 2024 އިން ފެށިގެން މަނާ ކުރުމަށާއި، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި ވޭޕްކުރުމަށް ބޭނުންކުރާ ތަކެތި ބޭނުންކުރުމާއި، ގެންގުޅުމާއި، އުފެއްދުމާއި، ވިއްކުމާއި، ރާއްޖޭގައި އިޝްތިހާރު ކުރުމާއި…
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) October 14, 2024

Overwhelming Support from Parents and Health Service Providers

The decision to ban vapes comes in response to numerous requests from parents and health service providers urging the government to take action against electronic smoking devices in the Maldives. The first request came on September 12 from the NDC Alliance, an organization dedicated to combating non-communicable diseases in the country. Following their letter, the Doctors Association, Nurses Association, and various sports associations also called for a ban.

The recent discovery of a large quantity of vapes in a Malé school over the span of a week sparked outrage among parents, who petitioned for a ban on the devices as well. The government’s announcement marks one of the toughest anti-smoking measures taken by the Maldivian government in recent years.

Attorney General to Forward Proposed Amendments to Parliament

Attorney General Ahmed Usham stated that proposed amendments to existing laws will be forwarded to the Parliament within this week to facilitate the ban. Usham made the announcement via X, welcoming the ban on vapes, which he described as a decision made “for the sake of our children, youth, and the entire Maldivian population.”

Health Concerns and Prevalence of Vapes in Schools

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 150 people are expected to die directly from smoking-related causes in the Maldives, a country with a population of barely half a million. The Doctors Association quoted WHO data, stating that smoking accounts for 85 percent of lung cancer cases and that eight million people die each year from various diseases caused by tobacco use, with 1.3 million dying from secondhand smoking.

Maldives Customs Service figures reveal that between 2018 and July of this year, vapes and e-cigarettes worth MVR 124,342,915 have been imported into the Maldives. The government acknowledged that the use of vapes in the country has become a national issue, particularly due to its prevalence in school environments.

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan expressed concern over drugs being added to vape pod flavors, creating opportunities to recruit children into the drug business. The government’s drug operations have also revealed the presence of drugs in vape sticks.

Currently, 50 countries are implementing bans on vapes, including at least five countries in the Asian region.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.