Amendment to Tobacco Control Act ratified, import of vapes banned

The first amendment to the Tobacco Control Act has been ratified.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the amendment on Thursday.

The People’s Majlis greenlighted the amendment during the 48th sitting of the 20th parliamentary assembly, held on November 12.

The bill bans the import, sale, free distribution and use of e-cigarettes, vaping devices and related products in the Maldives.

Upon ratification, the amendment has been implemented with which tobacco use in all government institution buildings and their premises will be prohibited.

Authorities will also impose fines on users as well as property owners or operators if tobacco is used illegally in business or service establishments, with potential suspension of smoking permits and temporary suspension of business licenses.

The sale of any tobacco products to persons under 21 years or involving persons under 21 in tobacco sales transactions is also prohibited.

The President’s Office went on to reveal that the sale of tobacco products without verifying the buyer's age through ID or official documentation proving they are over 21 is also prohibited, along with advertisement of any tobacco products.

In addition to this, no one will be allowed to display tobacco products or their packaging in retail locations visible to the public, with such displays being considered advertising.

Growing tobacco plants or producing tobacco products in the Maldives, importing tobacco plants, seeds, or any parts that could be used for growing tobacco, and manufacturing any tobacco products in the Maldives are also banned.

The implementation of the amendment also means that illegal advertising, sponsorship, or promotion of tobacco products and illegal import, export, distribution, or sale of tobacco or tobacco products are banned.

The government highlighted that the import and sale of e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and products designed for use with such devices are prohibited.

Fines have been established for violations of the law as well.

Upon ratification, the amendment has been publicized in the government gazette.

The provisions related to e-cigarettes and vaping devices will take effect on 15 December 2024, with other provisions to be effective from 15 November 2024.

In mid-October, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took to social media platform ‘X’ to announce that he had ordered the ban on importing vaping devices and their individual components to the Maldives, to be effective from November 15.

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