Police Given Power to Confiscate and Destroy Prohibited Vaping Devices

Police have been granted the authority to confiscate and destroy prohibited vaping devices under the newly introduced General Regulation on Tobacco Control.

This development strengthens the enforcement of the existing ban on the import and use of vapes, which has been in effect since December 15, 2024.

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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, with the mandate to destroy them without the possibility of return.

Under the updated regulation, individuals caught with vaping devices face a fine of MVR 2,000. Those who refuse to surrender these items to authorities can incur fines of up to MVR 50,000. To date, the police have reported that 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 the age of 21 carries a substantial fine of MVR 50,000.

This stringent approach 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, recognising them as crucial steps in curbing the rising trend of vaping, particularly 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.