39 persons fined for vape related offences in April

Police have stated that 39 individuals were fined for vape related offences in the month of April, with the total fines amount coming to MVR 192,500.

Under the Tobacco Control Act, import, sale and use of vapes has been banned in Maldives from December 15 last year. Since then, Police have been fining persons for violations of this Act.

Police said today that the 39 individuals were fined between April 1 and 30.

Police are now authorized to confiscate vapes found on offenders.

Carrying vapes result in a fine of MVR 2000. Refusal to hand over vapes and related objects to Police raise the fine to MVR 50,000.

Vaping carries a fine of MVR 5000, while distribution of vape carries a fine of MVR 10,000. Sale of vapes result in a fine of MVR 20,000, which is increased to MVR 50,000 if the sale is to a person under the age of 21.