WHO Praises Maldives for Banning Vaping
The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the Maldives for its decision to ban the use, import, and sale of vaping devices.
The announcement was made by Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Monday, following concerns raised by the Maldivian Medical Association and other organisations about the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases linked to tobacco products.
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In a post on X on last evening, WHO South East Asia commended the Maldives for this significant step, describing it as “an important initiative to arrest the worrying trend of increase in vaping, especially among young adolescents.”
Congratulations #Maldives 🇲🇻 for announcing a ban on vaping. An important initiative to arrest the worrying trend of increase in vaping, specially among young adolescents. As per the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 23.1% boys and 10.7% girls in the age group of 13 to 15 years… https://t.co/mffmWgYZL2— World Health Organization South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) October 15, 2024
The WHO referenced a 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, which revealed that 23.1% of boys and 10.7% of girls aged 13 to 15 in the Maldives had used e-cigarettes. The organisation expressed particular concern about the growing use of novel and emerging nicotine and tobacco products (NENTPs) in the region, including electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches.
Currently, only 37 countries worldwide have enacted a ban on vaping. However, the WHO noted that the South East Asian region is taking a lead in tobacco control initiatives. The Maldives joins other Asian nations such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and North Korea in prohibiting vaping.
Starting November 15, the Maldives will implement a ban on the importation of vaping devices and their spare parts. The use, possession, production, sale, and advertising of vaping products will be prohibited from December 15.
