Thousands of vape removed from schools last year, minister says

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsan said on Tuesday that the government recently announced a November 15 ban on the import of vape, citing a surge in the number of vapes found in schools over the past year as a key factor.

The new regulations are set to come into effect in two phases:

The decision to ban vaping devices follows alarming reports from schools across the Maldives.

Ihsan highlighted cases where students, some as young as third-graders, have been bullied into using vape sticks. One incident involved a child being coerced into vaping by another student on the way to the bathroom.

These trends prompted the Ministry of Education to take action, leading to the confiscation of thousands of vapes from schools in the past year.

"This has to be brought to an end," said Ihsan, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

The government sees the ban as a necessary step to protect the country's youth from potential harm.

A key motivation for President Mohamed Muizzu’s decision is the growing concern that vaping may serve as a gateway to drug use among young people.

Ihsan emphasised the need to create a safe environment for children, expressing fears that vaping could lead to exposure to harmful substances, including drugs.

“It is not in the best interest of this country when our babies, the future youth of Maldives, are exposed to environments that may lead them down the path of addiction,” Ihsan stated.

The announcement has sparked debate, with some critics questioning why vaping is being banned while cigarettes remain legal. Ihsan acknowledged the comparison, suggesting that while vaping and smoking are related, they are distinct issues that require separate approaches. However, he emphasised that President Muizzu’s vision is to create a future free from the dangers of both vaping and smoking.

As part of this broader strategy, the government has proposed increasing the duty on tobacco products. Legislation to this effect has already been submitted to parliament. Additionally, the minimum age for purchasing tobacco will be raised from 18 to 21 years, reflecting a commitment to curb youth access to harmful substances.

Ihsan admitted that the decision to ban vaping was not easy, acknowledging the challenges of implementing such a significant policy shift. However, he stressed that the long-term health and safety of Maldivian youth are of paramount importance, and the government is willing to make tough choices to secure a better future.

The Homeland Security Ministry is currently in the process of drafting the necessary legislation to support the ban. This involves consultations with relevant stakeholders to ensure the new rules are comprehensive and enforceable.