Maldives Set to Enforce Nationwide Vaping Ban This Sunday
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Colombo, Dec 14 (NationPress) The Maldives is preparing to launch a comprehensive ban on the usage and sale of vaping devices starting at midnight on Saturday, as stated by the nation's state-run Public Service Media (PSM).
The implementation of this ban comes in the wake of recent modifications to the Tobacco Control Act, which were signed into law by President Mohamed Muizzu on November 13.
The revised regulations declare that the sale, free distribution, and utilization of e-cigarettes and vaping devices will be deemed illegal from December 15 onward.
According to reports from PSM, any imports of vaping devices to the Maldives after this date will incur a penalty of MVR 50,000 (approximately 3,250 US dollars), as noted by the Xinhua news agency.
Many nations are taking steps to address youth vaping by prohibiting the production and sale of disposable vaping products.
In October, Muizzu had declared a ban on the importation of vape products in the Maldives, following a recommendation from the Maldives NCD Alliance, a coalition of seven Maldivian organizations and health experts.
"I have instructed authorities to implement all necessary measures to ban the importation of vaping devices and their components starting November 15, 2024, and to outlaw the use, possession, production, sale, advertisement, and free distribution of vaping devices in the country beginning December 15, 2024," the President stated in a social media update.
The Maldives NCD Alliance has indicated that tobacco and related products significantly contribute to the rise of non-communicable diseases within the Maldives.
Simultaneously, the Maldivian government has intensified its initiatives to combat drug trafficking.
Earlier this week, Muizzu revealed that drug seizures have increased sixfold thus far in 2024 in comparison to 2023.
During a meeting, the President noted that the drugs confiscated this year are valued at approximately 84 million US dollars.
Muizzu mentioned that over 150 expatriates associated with drug trafficking have been deported this year, which is double the figure from 2023.
The President also indicated that police have conducted over 13,435 raids on establishments this year in the nationwide effort against trafficking, whereas around 8,500 raids were carried out last year.
