New Regulations in Maldives: Police Are Empowered To Seize And Destroy Electronic Cigarette Devices

New regulations in Maldives: Police are empowered to seize and destroy electronic cigarette devices

The Maldives has issued new regulations that give the police the power to seize and destroy e-cigarette devices, while setting steep fines for the possession, use, distribution and sale of e-cigarettes.

According to The Edition on February 12, the Maldives General Regulations on Tobacco Control issued today (12) give the police the power to seize and destroy electronic cigarette devices prohibited under the Tobacco Control Act.

In December 2024, the Maldives banned the import and use of e-cigarettes, while the current law only fines those who possess or sell e-cigarettes and does not yet give the police the authority to seize e-cigarette products.

Under the new rules, police can now seize people who possess or use e-cigarette devices and related items. Those found in possession of e-cigarette devices will be fined up to 2,000 Maldivian (about $130). Those who refuse to surrender their e-cigarettes to the police will be fined 50,000 lufia (about $3,250).

In addition, the free distribution of e-cigarettes is punishable by a fine of 10,000 Lufia (about $650), while the sale of e-cigarettes is punishable by a fine of 20,000 Lufia (about $1,300), and the sale of e-cigarettes to people under the age of 21 is punishable by a fine of 50,000 Lufia (about $3,250).