Authorities has intensified its crackdown on vaping by granting police the authority to confiscate and destroy prohibited devices under the recently published General Regulation on Tobacco Control. This move enhances the enforcement of the existing ban on the import and use of vapes, which has been in effect since December 15, 2024.
Previously, while individuals found possessing or trading vapes could be fined under the Tobacco Control Act, there was no legal provision to seize devices imported before the ban. The new regulation, gazetted by the Ministry of Health, addresses this gap by empowering law enforcement to confiscate any vaping devices and related items found in possession or use. These items can be seized during court-ordered searches or through other lawful means and are mandated to be destroyed without the possibility of return.
Under the updated regulation, individuals caught with vaping devices face a fine of MVR 2,000. Moreover, those who refuse to surrender these items to authorities can incur fines up to MVR 50,000. The police have reported that, to date, 29 individuals have been fined for using vapes.
The Tobacco Control Act stipulates that using a vape results in a fine of MVR 5,000. Distributing a vape for free incurs a fine of MVR 10,000, while selling one leads to a fine of MVR 20,000. Notably, selling a vape to someone under 21 years of age attracts a substantial fine of MVR 50,000.
This stringent stance aligns with the government’s broader public health initiatives, which include significant hikes in tobacco tariffs. The World Health Organization has commended the Maldives for these measures, recognizing them as crucial steps to curb the rising trend of vaping, especially among adolescents.
The Maldives now joins a growing list of countries implementing comprehensive bans on vaping, reflecting a global shift towards stricter regulation of e-cigarettes to protect public health.
