President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to ban the import and sale of vaping devices and their parts starting 15th November.

In a recent post on X, the President said that the import of vaping equipment and its parts will be banned from November 15. He also directed the authorities to take all necessary steps to ban the use, possession, manufacture, sale, advertising and free distribution of vaping products in the country from December 15, 2024 onwards.

The President's decision comes amid calls from doctors' associations, sports associations and health experts to ban the import of vape into the Maldives. In addition, school authorities have expressed concern over the increase in students vaping in schools.

Welcoming the decision, Home Minister Ali Ihusan said that vape is one of the factors that easily turns Maldivian children to the path of intoxication and the President’s decision to ban vape is a great decision for which the country will be eternally grateful.