School parents prepare to petition a vape ban

Maldivian school parents are currently in the midst of preparing to petition a vape ban in the country.

According to local media reports, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) of schools have taken the initiative to collect parents' signatures for a petition urging President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to take measures in protecting young children and the youth generation from the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Education Ministry has allowed a time limit until 12:00 noon tomorrow to submit the petition.

The petition reads that children have become exposed to the risks of e-cigarettes involuntarily due to the pressure to use vapes and cigarettes through introduction of the devices in education, sport and entertainment settings.

Parents also express the concerns of children being subjected to the potential introduction of drugs and its risks, via e-cigarettes. The use of such substances at a vulnerable age is adversely affecting children's growth and health, the petition highlights.

"Children's behavior is deteriorating day by day, disobedience, lack of attention to learning at school and at home as well as fighting and bullying at school are increasing," parents share in the petition.

Since the sale of e-cigarettes and the liquid that goes into those devices target children and are designed to appeal children with easy accessibility and affordable pricing, there are little parents can do to combat these increasing challenges, the petition also states.

“If this is not addressed, our young children will grow up as immoral children who do not receive proper education and are addicted to tobacco and drugs, ruining their future,” it further reads.

As such, the parents call for stronger measures to be implemented.

"[We request] the government to take immediate action without delay, in assisting us in ensuring the proper education, upbringing, and health and safety of our students and to protect our children and the young generation from the risks of e-cigarettes which are now common in the Maldvies, for the sake of the hopes we have for our children's future," the parents urge.

According to figures shared with local media outlet Mihaaru by Maldives Customs Service, MVR 124,342,915 worth of vapes and e-cigarettes have been imported to the Maldives between 2018 and July this year. The figure was at MVR 104,564 million between 2018 to 2023, while it was at MVR 19.5 between January and July of this year alone.

Recently, a week-long inspection at a local school resulted in the school's management collecting vape sticks and pods to fill up a big box, Education Ministry revealed.

"Schools will closely monitor the behavioural changes in children. If a student's behaviour is changing, it will be checked. In such an inspection, a school seized enough vape [devices] to fill up a large box, within a week," Education Minister Ismail detailed.

While parents prepare to submit the petition, health care experts are also calling for the ban of vapes and electronic smoking devices, and have already requested President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to implement the ban as well.