President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to ban the use, import, and sale of vapes.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, the president announced that he has ordered the ban on importing vaping devices and their individual components to the Maldives.

The ban will be effective from 15 November 2024.

In a publication, the President’s Office revealed that the president has instructed relevant authorities to initiate the necessary actions to prohibit the import of vape devices, accessories, and parts, in a bid to take concrete steps to ban vaping.

Further, the president has instructed relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to prohibit the use, possession, production, sale, advertising, and free distribution of vaping devices in the Maldives from 15 December 2024 onwards.

The president’s decision to ban vaping has come at a time several associations have been calling to implement a ban on vapes.

The Maldivian Medical Association (MMA), the Nurses Association, and 21 national sports associations have also called on authorities to ban the import of several tobacco products and vapes into the country.

However, the president is yet to order a ban on importing other tobacco products that these associations have called to prohibit.