President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced a ban on the importation of vape products in the Maldives.
The decision to ban the import of vape comes following a recommendation from the Maldives NCD Alliance, an alliance of seven Maldivians organizations, and health experts.
In a social media post on Monday, President Dr. Muizzu announced that the import of vaping equipment and its parts will be banned from November 15. The President has also ordered a ban on advertising such products from December 15 this year.
"I have directed authorities to take all necessary measures to prohibit the importation of vaping devices and their components from November 15, 2024 and to prohibit the use, possession, manufacture, sale, advertising and free distribution of vaping devices in the country from December 15, 2024," the President said.
In a statement issued following a letter sent to the President proposing the ban, the Maldives NCD Alliance said that tobacco and tobacco products contribute significantly to the increase in non-communicable diseases in the Maldives.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified e-cigarettes and vape as tobacco products, the Alliance emphasized that the rise in the use of nicotine-containing vapes is contributing to the increase in non-communicable diseases in the Maldives. Therefore, immediate measures should be taken to ban the import of vapes and e-cigarettes into the Maldives, the statement said.
“This will improve the health situation in the Maldives, reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases and reduce the likelihood of youth becoming addicted to drugs,” the statement said.
The Alliance cited a study by the American Cancer Society that found that vaping accounts for 15 percent of lung cancer cases and puts 30 percent of users at the risk of developing diabetes.
According to customs statistics, vape products worth MVR 19.7 million were imported between January and July this year alone. Vape is already banned in 50 countries due to its harmful effects on health.
