The Ministry of Education on Monday revealed that more than 200 schools had requested with the Ministry ban vapes in the Maldives.

Welcoming the President's decision to ban vapes in the Maldives, the Ministry revealed that the PTAs of over 200 schools had requested the Ministry ban vapes.

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.

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has said that he will send the necessary amendments to the relevant laws to the Parliament this week.

"The necessary amendments to the laws are being sent to parliament this week to implement the president's decision. Amendments to the Tobacco Control Act and the Export Import Act will be submitted to parliament," Usham said.

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.

The President's decision has been welcomed by Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah, Cabinet Ministers, MPs and many others.