Import ban on vapes comes into effect

The import ban on vaping devices and related spare parts has come into effect on Friday.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the bill to amend the Tobacco Control Act in order to ban vaping devices on Tuesday.

The government-backed bill was submitted to the Parliament in October and was sponsored by North Henveiru MP Ahmed Aifan.

The bill passed with a majority vote of 54 on Tuesday afternoon. Eight abstained.

The original bill had undergone several changes during the committee stage. They are:

• Categorizing public display of a tobacco product or a product containing tobacco as advertisement.
• Introducing an MVR 50,000 fine for distribution of e-cigarettes or vaping devices to a minor.
• Redefining tobacco products as products that contain tobacco leaves, the stem of tobacco leaves or nicotine.
• Redefining tobacco products as anything other than nicotine products used in pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, that is chewed, smoked, inhaled, pasted or rubbed on the body to acquire the effects of tobacco.

As per the amendment ratified on Tuesday, the import of devices used for vaping along with spare parts of such devices will be banned starting Friday, November 15^th. Meanwhile, the use, possession, production, sale and advertisement of devices used for vaping will be banned starting Sunday, December 15^th.

Notably, the current administration has also amended the Export-Import Act of the Maldives which doubles the tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as the tax on e-cigarettes and vapes, until planned ban kicks in. 

In this regard, a 200 percent duty is levied on general tobacco and prepared tobacco products excluding specific items listed below.

• Cigarettes: 50 percent duty, plus MVR 8 per cigarette.
• Bidi (traditional cigarettes): 50 percent duty, plus MVR 8 per bidi.
• Flavored chemicals used in electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products: 50 percent duty, plus MVR 8 per milliliter.
• Heated tobacco products and consumable tobacco sticks: 50 percent duty, plus MVR 8 per stick.

It also introduces a 200 percent important duty for electronic machinery, equipment and parts including electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and tobacco heating products.

The amendment came into effect following ratification on November 1^st.