President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the First Amendment to Act No. 15/2010 (Tobacco Control Act). The Amendment was passed in the 48th sitting of the 20th Parliament on 12 November 2024.

The bill prohibits the import, sale, free distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), vaping devices, and products designed for use with such devices in the Maldives.

The Amendment introduces several key prohibitions:

- All forms of tobacco consumption within government buildings and premises

- Dual-penalty system for tobacco infractions: monetary penalties for both consumers and establishment operators, alongside possible revocation of smoking licences and temporary business licence suspensions

- Distribution or sale of tobacco products to individuals under 21, including their involvement in any tobacco-related transactions

- Retail transactions without proper age verification via official identification documents

- Any form of tobacco product advertisement or promotion

- Visual merchandising of tobacco products or packaging in retail environments, which constitutes advertising

- Cultivation of tobacco plants or manufacture of tobacco products within national borders

- Importation of tobacco plants, seeds, or cultivation materials, alongside domestic tobacco product manufacturing

- Unlawful advertising, sponsorship activities, or promotional initiatives involving tobacco products

- Unauthorised import, export, distribution, or retail of tobacco or tobacco-related products

The legislation establishes specific fines for violations related to e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and associated products.

Following ratification, the Amendment has been published in the Government Gazette today. The e-cigarette and vaping device provisions (Section 10-2) will take effect on 15 December 2024, whilst all other measures take effect from 15 November 2024.