Even with the high cancer rates in the Maldives, it appears that authorities have failed to take proper measures when it comes to banning such harmful substances from being imported into the country. However, it appears that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is working towards taking the vape ban seriously
JAC vapour
Throughout the years, smoking cigarettes has taken on several images. Initially, smoking was not seen as a harmful act, but rather an appealing activity that is often carried out in social settings. This soon got portrayed in the media, even being showcased in cartoons - creating a culture where smoking was commonly accepted. However, as more research was carried out on the negative impacts of smoking on the human body as well as those around you, the dangers of smoking were soon discovered. With this, anti-smoking campaigns, although ineffective, started being carried out. While the anti-smoking campaigns continue on, it has become background noise - as many continue to pick up packs of cigarettes even though they come with severely graphic cancer warnings on the package.
Now, smoking has evolved into different forms - vapes, hookah as well as e-cigarettes. Out of all these devices, vapes have come to replace cigarettes in recent years. With flavoured smoke and the lack of odour that is created by cigarettes, using vapes has become more commonly acceptable. Though vaping might face a similar fate to traditional cigarettes, the e-cigarette that comes in aesthetic packaging in different flavours continues to be on the rise, especially among the youth. Although these traits make vaping seem less dangerous compared to smoking, it has now become common knowledge that vaping has negative implications - just like smoking traditional cigarettes.
While a lot of the youth remain unaware of the negative effects of vaping, it appears that several requests have been made in the Maldives to push a vaping ban in the country. Although the Maldives is a relatively small nation, everywhere you go, people are seen either smoking cigarettes or vapes. According to local news, an overwhelming amount of requests were made by parents, health service providers as well as NDC to start working towards a vape ban in the Maldives.
Talks soon started that the Maldives may pursue such a ban, which also appeared unlikely as the country, just like many others, failed to ban cigarettes. Even with the high cancer rates in the Maldives, it appears that authorities have failed to take proper measures when it comes to banning such harmful substances from being imported into the country. However, it appears that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is working towards taking the vape ban seriously. The President took to X to detail upcoming changes, announcing the possibility of a complete ban on vape and vape-related products being imported or sold within the country. As the President has stated that the relevant authorities have been informed in order to kick start the process to start the vape ban, the announcement was followed by mixed reviews.
While most of the reviews pointed out how the Government should take measures to ban cigarettes due to high rates of cancer in the Maldives directly linked to smoking, the Government also revealed that the import duty of tobacco-related products will see a tax hike. This measure taken to discourage the use of tobacco-related products will see an import duty specific rate on cigarettes and other such products raised from MVR 3 to MVR 8 as well as the ad valorem rate taken from tobacco products raised by 50 percent. With the increase in the tax hike, there is hope that the increased prices will result in fewer people partaking in the smoking culture that has been widely accepted over time.
One thing has been made clear over the years - both smoking and vaping continue to present significant public health challenges, with both being linked to severe health risks, despite the evolving forms of nicotine consumption. While vaping has surged in popularity, particularly among the youth, it is becoming increasingly clear that its perceived "safety" is a dangerous misconception. In the Maldives, efforts to curb vaping are gaining momentum, with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu advocating for a potential vape ban. Whether the proposed vape ban will lead to further action against cigarettes remains to be seen, but it marks a significant step in addressing the country's growing concerns over nicotine use.
