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

EU Launches Online Feedback as TPD Revision Enters New Milestone
EU Launches Online Feedback as TPD Revision Enters New Milestone
The European Commission has opened an online call for evidence on revising EU tobacco products and advertising rules, marking a new phase in the TPD/TAD review. Policy options may cover novel products, flavours, packaging, digital marketing and advertising. A 2Firsts review of 855 early submissions shows rapid engagement and recurring debate over differentiated regulation, harm reduction, youth protection, illicit trade and economic impact.
Special Report
May.21
WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning
WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day 2026, WHO released its first global report on nicotine pouches, warning that rapid market growth, youth-oriented marketing and weak regulation are converging. 2Firsts views the report as an important warning, but not a complete risk assessment, with harm-reduction questions still unresolved.
Special Report
May.17
 BAT Bangladesh Cigarette Sales Fall 14%, Q1 Profit Drops 34%
BAT Bangladesh Cigarette Sales Fall 14%, Q1 Profit Drops 34%
British American Tobacco Bangladesh reported a 14% year-on-year decline in cigarette sales volume and a 34% drop in first-quarter profit, highlighting mounting pressure from inflation, taxation, and weakening consumer spending in Bangladesh.
News
May.18
Product | Geek Bar BURJ 80K Extends High-Puff Competition Into Hookah-Style DTL Use
Product | Geek Bar BURJ 80K Extends High-Puff Competition Into Hookah-Style DTL Use
2Firsts has noted that Geek Bar has added BURJ to its official product portfolio under the E-HOOKAH category. Public information shows that BURJ 80K is a hookah-style disposable vape featuring a 25ml e-liquid capacity, a 1500mAh battery, 0.4Ω dual coils and three operating modes: ECO, Regular and Pulse. According to publicly available product information, the device is rated for up to 80,000 puffs in ECO mode and uses a nicotine strength of 0.5% (5mg/ml).
Market
May.29
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey analysis, saying about 2.01 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product; among current youth e-cigarette users, unauthorized disposable brands including Geek Bar, Elf Bar, Lost Mary and Raz had high reported shares, potentially making them a focus for future enforcement.
Jun.24
UK Disposable Vape Ban Marks One Year as Adult Use Falls to 8% and Youth Use to 13%
UK Disposable Vape Ban Marks One Year as Adult Use Falls to 8% and Youth Use to 13%
One year after the UK ban on single-use disposable vapes took effect, YouGov data commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health shows that 13% of 11-17-year-old vapers and 8% of adult vapers now mainly use disposable products.
Jun.18