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Smoking in the Maldives
Smoking in the Maldives has been traditionally seen as a social activity and part of the Maldivian Culture.[1] During the presidency of Mohamed Amin Didi, he made an unpopular ban on tobacco smoking, which was not favoured by many Maldivians at the time.[2] Later on, the ban was lifted.[2] Maldives became a party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on 27 February 2005. According to the Tobacco Control Act (Law 15/2010), smoking is prohibited in most workplaces, public transport, public places, although it permits smoking in designating areas in non-air-conditioned teashops, restaurants, cafés and other food and beverage outlets.[3] In recent years, the popularity of smoking and vaping had increased in social settings.[1] Vaping had also been introduced to the youth, who were rapidly picking up smoking and vaping.[1] In 2024, president Mohamed Muizzu signed an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act which banned the import of vapes in the Maldives.[4] The use, distribution and sale of vapes, and related devices was banned in Maldives effective 15 December.[5] This new amendment changed the minimum legal age from 18 to 21.[6] It'll impose fines starting up to MVR 50,000 to businesses or individuals importing vapes and MVR 10,000 for each item, sales of a vape will be MVR 20,000, distributing to minors will be MVR 50,000, and using them will be MVR 5,000.[6] The Maldivian government has also increased duties on tobacco products, leading to prices being more expensive.[6] PrevalenceAbout 32.3% of adult Maldivians reported being current tobacco users in 2020.[7] References
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