Over 53,000 Vaping Devices Seized Since Maldives’ Vape Ban Introduced
Maldives Customs has revealed that more than 53,000 vaping devices have been intercepted at Maldives’ borders in the year since the country imposed a ban on vapes and e-cigarettes.
According to Maldives Customs, 176 cases involving attempts to smuggle vaping devices into the country have been recorded since 15 November 2024. These interceptions resulted in the seizure of 53,300 devices.
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15 ނޮވެންބަރު 2024 އިން ފެށިގެން އިލެކްޓްރޯނިކް ސިނގިރެޓާއި ވޭޕްކުރުމަށް ބޭނުންކުރާ އާލާތްތައް ރާއްޖެއަށް އެތެރެކުރުން މަނާވުމާއި ގުޅިގެން ކަސްޓަމްސުން ވަނީ ވޭޕްކުރުމަށް ބޭނުންކުރާ އާލާތްތައް ރާއްޖެއަށް އެތެރެކުރަން އުޅުމުގެ 176 މައްސަލަ ހޯދާފައި. #Hafthaa104 pic.twitter.com/uX8DUOUZZg— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) November 20, 2025
Maldives introduced amendments to the Tobacco Control Act in 2024, prohibiting the import of vaping devices and e-cigarettes in November, before expanding the restriction in December to include the sale, free distribution, and use of such products.
The revised legislation introduced significant penalties for violations. Fines include MVR 5,000 for using a vape, MVR 20,000 for selling a vape, and MVR 50,000 for selling a vape to a minor. A fine of MVR 10,000 applies per vaping device sold and for the free distribution of vapes. In October alone, 35 individuals were fined a total of MVR 226,000 for related offences.
The vape ban forms part of broader tobacco control measures implemented under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. These initiatives also include the doubling of import duties and taxes on cigarettes, and a smoking ban for those born after 2007.
