WHO Commends Maldives' Ban on E-Cigarettes and Related Products

Oct.17.2024

WHO praises Maldives for banning e-cigarettes to combat rising trend, citing harmful effects on youth. Global ban count now 37.

According to a report from Edition on October 17th, the World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the decision of the Maldives to ban e-cigarettes and related products.

The World Health Organization's Southeast Asia Regional Office announced on social media platform X that this decision is a significant step in combating the growing trend of e-cigarette use, especially among youth.

According to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey data, 23.1% of boys aged 13 to 15 have used e-cigarettes, while 10.7% of girls have used e-cigarettes.

The organization emphasizes that all forms of tobacco consumption are harmful and are a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases.

On the 15th, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu announced that the import of all e-cigarette products and device components will be illegal starting from November 15th. Additionally, the use, possession, production, sale, advertising, and distribution of all e-cigarette products will be banned starting from December 15th.

According to WHO data, currently 37 countries worldwide have banned e-cigarettes. In the region, countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and East Timor have all implemented e-cigarette bans.

References:

[1] WHO welcomes Maldives' decision to ban vapes

Also Read:

[1] Major Marijuana Smuggling Operation Disguised as E-Cigarette Liquid Busted

[2] Maldives President Announces Nationwide Ban on E-Cigarettes and Products

[3] NCD Alliance Urges President to Ban E-cigarette Imports in Maldives

[4] Maldives Health Agency Advocates for Additional Tobacco Taxation

[5] Maldives Customs to Cancel Tax-Free Import of E-Cigarettes and Energy Drinks

#Legislation #E-cigarettes #Asia #Maldives

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

JT Q3 2025: Revenue +18%, Profit +30%; RRP Volume +40%; Guidance Up

Japan Tobacco (JT) delivered a strong Q3 2025. Revenue rose 18.3% year over year to ¥947.2 billion, with adjusted operating profit up 27.8% to ¥279.0 billion (+20.8% at constant currency) and net profit up 29.7% to ¥176.7 billion. Growth was led by reduced-risk products (RRP): total RRP volume climbed 40%, with heated tobacco (HTS) up 53%. In Japan, the launches of Ploom AURA and EVO pods pushed HTS category share to 15.5%, while the Ploom user base has nearly doubled versus two years ago.

Oct.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Lancashire Police Seize £200K Worth of Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes, Six Arrested

Lancashire Police seized nearly £200,000 worth of illicit cigarettes and vapes, arrested six suspects, and closed three shops under Operation Wanderstar. Raids on 22 premises across the county also uncovered counterfeit cash, hidden tobacco stashes, and frozen bank accounts linked to suspected money laundering.

Oct.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Number of Vapers in Britain Surpasses Smokers for the First Time, Government Tightens Nicotine Regulations

For the first time, more people in Britain now vape than smoke. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 10% of adults (5.4 million) regularly use e-cigarettes compared with 9.1% (4.9 million) who smoke cigarettes. The government credits vaping for the decline in smoking but plans tougher rules through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, including a generational smoking ban and restrictions on nicotine pouch flavours, packaging, and sales.

Nov.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Moroccan Government Rejects Opposition Proposal to Increase Excise Tax on E-Cigarettes

Moroccan government has firmly rejected proposals from opposition parties to increase the internal consumption tax (TIC) on e-cigarettes and related products under the 2026 Finance Bill. Budget Minister Delegate Fouzi Lekjaa argued that raising excise duties would not reduce demand and would instead encourage smuggling. Opposition groups emphasized the growing health risks and rising popularity of vaping among young people.