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

France plans to impose new taxes on e-liquids, with the vape industry association warning of unemployment risk
France plans to impose new taxes on e-liquids, with the vape industry association warning of unemployment risk
French government proposes tax on e-liquid, sparking concerns over job losses and increased smuggling and underage sales risks.
Oct.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | 2× “2+10” configuration, rated 36,000 puffs — VOZOL launches NEON PLUG MAX
Product | 2× “2+10” configuration, rated 36,000 puffs — VOZOL launches NEON PLUG MAX
VOZOL has listed a new product, NEON PLUG MAX, on its official website, featuring dual 2 ml prefilled pods and dual 10 ml refill bottles (24 ml total), a claimed maximum of 36,000 puffs, and two-flavour switching. The device was previously shown at InterTabac 2025 and was listed by the UK MHRA in March 2025; however, as of publication it was not yet available on overseas retail sites.
Oct.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PouchEx Stockholm 2025 — Where the Future of Oral Innovation Begins
PouchEx Stockholm 2025 — Where the Future of Oral Innovation Begins
PouchEx Stockholm 2025 is coming to Sweden, bringing together leading brands, technologies, and thought leaders to explore the future of smoke-free innovation. It will be one of the must-attend nicotine pouch events of 2025. 2Firsts is one of the official media partners of the event.
Oct.11
Product | HQD launches the new HQD GO in the U.S., featuring three power levels and a ~$30 price tag.
Product | HQD launches the new HQD GO in the U.S., featuring three power levels and a ~$30 price tag.
HQD has listed the disposable HQD GO on its official site and U.S. channels. The device touts 35,000 puffs, three power levels with adjustable airflow, and a 30 mg/ml nicotine strength. On U.S. retail websites, it’s priced at about $29.99.
Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Lao Shuts Down Nearly 300 Online Vape Stores in Joint Crackdown with WHO and Meta
Lao Shuts Down Nearly 300 Online Vape Stores in Joint Crackdown with WHO and Meta
In a coordinated effort with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Meta, the Lao Ministry of Health has taken 288 online e-cigarette stores with more than 759,599 members offline, reinforcing the country’s total ban on e-cigarettes under the National Tobacco Control Law.
Nov.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Report: Smoking Rates Remain Unchanged Despite Kazakhstan’s Vape Ban
Report: Smoking Rates Remain Unchanged Despite Kazakhstan’s Vape Ban
According to Exclusive.KZ, Kazakhstan’s Strategy Public Foundation released a study finding that strict tobacco and vape bans have not reduced smoking rates, which remain at 18–20%. The report calls for harm reduction approaches based on international best practices.
Nov.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai