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

2Firsts Observation|PMI Launches IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI Limited Edition at Dubai Airport
2Firsts Observation|PMI Launches IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI Limited Edition at Dubai Airport
2Firsts observed that Philip Morris International (PMI) has set up a large-scale IQOS display at Dubai International Airport’s duty-free area, featuring the TEREA tobacco stick series with promotional offers. The brand also showcased its limited-edition collaboration with Italian design house SELETTI — IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI — further strengthening its premium image through artistic design.
Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Washington State to Bring Synthetic Nicotine Under the Tobacco Tax System, Applying a Unified Tax Starting January 2026
U.S. Washington State to Bring Synthetic Nicotine Under the Tobacco Tax System, Applying a Unified Tax Starting January 2026
Washington State will subject all nicotine-containing products to the Tobacco Products Tax starting January 1, 2026, taxing them at 95% of the selling price. The change covers both tobacco-derived and synthetic nicotine products and requires businesses to report their inventory when the new tax system takes effect.
Dec.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Bangladesh Approves Ordinance Banning E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products
Bangladesh Approves Ordinance Banning E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products
Bangladesh’s Advisory Council on December 24 approved the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, aimed at strengthening tobacco control laws. The ordinance bans the use, production and marketing of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems and heated tobacco products. Nicotine pouches are included in the definition of tobacco products.
Dec.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
AIRSCREAM Unlocks Pan-European Nicotine Pouch Market for B2B Partners with Full-Service EU OEM Solutions
AIRSCREAM Unlocks Pan-European Nicotine Pouch Market for B2B Partners with Full-Service EU OEM Solutions
Showcased at PouchEx Stockholm, AIRSCREAM’s end-to-end OEM ecosystem demonstrates how brands can enter the fast-growing European nicotine pouch market with greater speed, confidence, and regulatory readiness.
Dec.04
Singapore’s Underground Vape Chain Revealed:How Dispatchers, Telegram Groups, and Small “Online Shops” Form an Operating Model
Singapore’s Underground Vape Chain Revealed:How Dispatchers, Telegram Groups, and Small “Online Shops” Form an Operating Model
A vape-related case reported by The Straits Times illustrates the typical operating methods of Singapore’s underground vape trade, including Telegram-based “online shops,” centrally coordinated scheduling, and small-volume, fragmented deliveries. The case highlights the segmented and concealed nature of the country’s black-market vape network. Drawing on the report, 2Firsts uses this case as a sample to map out the structure and operational patterns of Singapore’s underground vape chain.
Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippine police seize illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes worth USD 206,400, arrest four suspects
Philippine police seize illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes worth USD 206,400, arrest four suspects
CIDG-Laguna Provincial Field Unit seizes $200k worth of illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes, arrests four suspects. PNP vows to continue crackdown.
Nov.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai