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

Ukrainian Researchers Estimate E-Cigarette Black Market at 90%, Warn of About $180 Million Budget Hit in 2025

Ukrainian researchers estimate that the illicit e-cigarette market makes up about 93% of total sales. Based on the National Bank of Ukraine’s exchange rate, if the black market remains at its current size, Ukraine’s state and local budgets could lose roughly $180 million in revenue in 2025.

Oct.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Smoking Rate Drops to 17.9%, Vaping Rate Climbs to 9.3% in South Korea

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released its 2025 Community Health Survey results covering more than 230,000 adults. Traditional cigarette smoking dropped to 17.9%, down 1 percentage point from last year, while e-cigarette use increased to 9.3%, up 0.6 points. Overall tobacco product use stood at 22.1%, a slight decline from 2024 but still 0.5 points higher than 2019.

Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Product | Up to 100,000 Puffs and Over 2,000 Puffs per ml: MASKKING, MR FOG, HYPERBAR Roll Out Ultra High-Puff New Devices

In 2025, disposable vapes are shifting from a “puff count race” to a focus on user experience. While 30,000–50,000 puffs has become mainstream, brands like MASKKING, MR FOG, and HYPERBAR are still launching higher-capacity products in the 60,000–100,000 puff range. Models with disclosed tank sizes all exceed 2,000 puffs per mL and commonly feature adjustable wattage and enhanced interactive functions.

Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai

New Zealand Survey Finds Adult Daily Vaping Prevalence at 11.7%, Concentrated Among Youth and Disadvantaged Groups）

A survey report released by the Public Health Communication Centre Aotearoa shows that despite New Zealand implementing stricter vaping regulations in 2025, including a ban on disposable products and tighter flavour restrictions, daily vaping rates continue to rise. The research body urges close monitoring of behavioural changes following the new rules coming into force.