Nine individuals have been fined a collective MVR 50,000 for violating the amended Tobacco Control Act, which came into effect on December 15.

The amendments, introduced last week, prohibit the import, sale, free distribution, and use of vaping devices and e-cigarettes in the Maldives.

In a statement released on Tuesday, police confirmed that the penalties were imposed between December 15 and December 22.

Among the violations, one individual was fined MVR 10,000 for using an e-cigarette while driving.

The amended Tobacco Control Act outlines specific fines for vaping-related offenses:

MVR 5,000 for using a vape.MVR 20,000 for selling vaping devices.

MVR 10,000 per vaping device sold.

MVR 10,000 for the free distribution of vapes.

The vape ban is a key component of the Maldivian administration’s broader strategy to reduce smoking rates nationwide.