During his address in Raa atoll Ungoofaaru, President Muizzu acknowledged public concerns about why tobacco was not banned alongside vaping. He said that tobacco has been used in the Maldives for a long time, and an immediate ban would have been difficult.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has responded to criticism over the recent ban on vaping under the Tobacco Control Act, and said that the decision was not driven by commercial interests.
President Muizzu also explained why tobacco was not included in the ban.
During his address in Raa atoll Ungoofaaru, President Muizzu acknowledged public concerns about why tobacco was not banned alongside vaping. He said that tobacco has been used in the Maldives for a long time, and an immediate ban would have been difficult.
“Banning [tobacco] altogether is not as simple as banning vaping. People are deeply accustomed to using tobacco, and addressing it requires a more gradual approach,” he said.
President Muizzu said that he did not want to leverage vaping or tobacco products as a source of state revenue.
"I don't want to increase revenue by taxing tobacco products, nor do I want to rely on such revenue for state calculations," he said.
President Muizzu called for public support in addressing vaping, which he said has become a significant and growing issue among the youth.
He said that the ban is aimed at protecting the next generation from addiction.
“This decision is to protect the next generation and stop the rapid spread of this addiction. If we don’t act now, it could escalate beyond our control,” he said.
He also highlighted ongoing programs in collaboration with health centers to support those seeking to quit smoking. The President reiterated his commitment to addressing the root causes of major health issues before they become life-threatening.
President Muizzu reaffirmed that the vape ban was implemented with the best intentions.
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