President decides to ban import and use of vape in the Maldives

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Monday, has decided to ban the import and use of vape in the Maldives.

He announced the decision via a post on X.

The President, in the post, said he has instructed to ban the import of vaping devices and parts of such devices starting from November 15^th and instructed all relevant authorities to undertake all efforts necessary to ban the use, possession, production, sale, advertisement and free distribution of vapes starting from December 15^th.

Attorney General Ahmed Usham, via a post on X following the President's announcement, said efforts were underway to submit the relevant amendments required to enforce the ban to the parliament. In this regard, he said efforts are underway to submit amendments to the Import and Export Act and and Tobacco Control Act within the course of this week.  

The decision comes amid calls from various organizations to ban tobacco products in the Maldives, particularly vape and e-cigarettes. They include Maldives Doctors Association, Maldives Medical Association, Maldives Nurses Association and 21 sports associations.

A 2019 survey by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed a rapid rise in the number of children using vape and e-cigarettes in the Maldives, with 17.1 percent of children between the ages of 13 and 15 reporting use. 

While the use of vape among children is a pertinent concern for parents – experts project that the percentage will have doubled or tripled as of present. 

Vaping, which is extremely common in the Maldives, was not regularized for years despite concerns from health experts. Moreover, distribution of drugs via vape devices has also been a great concern.

While vaping comes with dangerous health repercussions such as lung damage and cancer – some nations have already taken measures to ban vaping devices by incepting the necessary laws in light of issues that have come to light in this trajectory.