
According to PSM News on November 14th, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has approved the first amendment to the Tobacco Control Act. The amendment was passed in parliament on November 12th.
The bill prohibits the importation, sale, free distribution, and use of e-cigarettes in the Maldives, as well as products designed for these devices.
Once the bill is approved and implemented, all government buildings and their premises will be prohibited from using tobacco. Users who illegally smoke in commercial or service establishments and property owners or operators will face fines. Smoking permits may be suspended and business licenses may be temporarily revoked.
The bill also prohibits the sale of any tobacco or related products to individuals under the age of 21, as well as prohibiting individuals under 21 from participating in tobacco sales transactions or selling such products without verifying the buyer's age through identification or official documents. Anyone caught selling or distributing e-cigarette products to minors will face a fine of $3242, as well as other penalties for selling and distributing such devices. Public displays or advertisements of these products will also be prohibited.
The amendment also prohibits the import, sale, free distribution, and use of products such as e-cigarettes. If such items are imported into the Maldives, a fine of $3242 will be imposed, as well as a fine of $648 per item. The law stipulates that selling any type of e-cigarette product will result in a fine of $1297, plus $648 per item.
Furthermore, the implementation of this bill also prohibits the cultivation of any tobacco plants or production of tobacco products in the Maldives, as well as the import of tobacco plants, seeds, or any parts used for planting tobacco, and manufacturing any tobacco products in the Maldives. Additionally, the illegal import, export, distribution, or sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and products designed for these devices is also prohibited.
The amendments to the Tobacco Control Act have been approved and published in the government gazette. The provisions related to e-cigarette products will take effect on December 15, while the other provisions will come into effect on November 15.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com