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

Oct.17.2024
WHO Commends Maldives' Ban on E-Cigarettes and Related Products
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.

WHO Commends Maldives' Ban on E-Cigarettes and Related Products
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia responds to Maldives' e-cigarette ban | Image source: X


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.


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

Florida HB 389 seeks statewide ban on smoking and vaping in public places and indoor workplaces
Florida HB 389 seeks statewide ban on smoking and vaping in public places and indoor workplaces
Florida lawmakers have introduced HB 389, a proposal to expand smoke-free protections by banning smoking and vaping in public places and enclosed indoor workplaces across the state. The bill broadens statutory definitions and outlines limited exceptions and compliance rules, with an effective date of July 1, 2026 if enacted.
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Outlines Manufacturing Requirements as Critical to ENDS PMTA Success
FDA Outlines Manufacturing Requirements as Critical to ENDS PMTA Success
FDA officials said manufacturing consistency is a core prerequisite for ENDS PMTA reviews, not a procedural formality. During its February 10, 2026 roundtable, the agency outlined expectations for quality management systems, manufacturing documentation, nicotine control, stability studies, and risk mitigation, emphasizing that robust manufacturing evidence underpins determinations of whether products are appropriate for the protection of public health.
Feb.11
Glasgow bin lorry fires spark calls to broaden vape and battery disposal messaging
Glasgow bin lorry fires spark calls to broaden vape and battery disposal messaging
Glasgow residents have been warned that throwing batteries and vapes away at home can endanger refuse workers, amid bin lorries catching fire. The city council said it will launch a communications campaign next month to tell people to place batteries in special bins at supermarkets or household waste recycling centres, supported by a dedicated web page listing other disposal sites.
Feb.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Cambodia’s tobacco industry association ATIC appoints JTI Cambodia GM as president
Cambodia’s tobacco industry association ATIC appoints JTI Cambodia GM as president
The Association of Tobacco Industry of Cambodia (ATIC) said JTI Cambodia General Manager Benjamin Cerletti has assumed the role of President following the completion of a two-year term served by his predecessor, Imperial Brands Plc.
Mar.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Spain’s Galicia Moves First: Under-18 Vape and Energy Drink Sales and Use Banned
Spain’s Galicia Moves First: Under-18 Vape and Energy Drink Sales and Use Banned
Galicia will implement a new “Minor Health Protection and Addictive Behaviors Prevention” law this Saturday, becoming the first region in Spain to ban the sale and use of vapes for people under 18.
Mar.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippines DOH reiterates: vaping is not safer than smoking, citing irreversible health risks
Philippines DOH reiterates: vaping is not safer than smoking, citing irreversible health risks
The Philippine Department of Health reiterated Saturday that vaping should not be promoted as an alternative to cigarette smoking, Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa said in a radio interview, according to the Tribune. Herbosa said both vaping and smoking pose irreversible health risks and cited E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), claiming it led to the death of a 22-year-old male with no smoking history in 2025.
Feb.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai