Vaping will be banned after 12:00 am tonight with the amendment to the Tobacco Control Act that prohibits the import, use, and trade of vapes, vaping products, and their components coming into effect.
The first amendment to the original Tobacco Control Act, implemented 14 years ago in 2010, bans the import, sale, free distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes and similar vaping devices, along with products intended for use with them.
Under the new changes to the act, giving a vape to someone for free will incur a fine of MVR 10,000 starting at midnight. Individuals caught using a vape will be fined MVR 5,000.
Selling vapes will result in a fine of MVR 20,000, with an additional MVR 10,000 fine for each vape sold.
Since 15 November, the importation of vaping devices and related products has carried a fine of MVR 50,000, with each imported electronic cigarette or vaping device incurring an additional penalty of MVR 10,000.
