Police Raid Malé Vape Hotspots, Arrest One, Seize Dozens of Devices

The Maldives Police Service, with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, conducted raids in Malé targeting illegal vaping. At a residence and café, police seized 84 vape cartridges and cash, arresting 27-year-old Bangladeshi national MD Abu Sufian. A subsequent search at a shop in Galolhu found more vaping devices. The enforcement follows amendments to the Tobacco Control Act effective December 15, 2024, which impose fines on importing, selling, distributing, and using vaping devices, and raise the legal age for tobacco to 21. Between December 15 and 22, nine individuals were fined a total of MVR 50,000. The government also introduced the Vaaru Pay system for online fine payment.

The Maldives Police Service, with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, conducted raids in Malé targeting illegal vaping. At a residence and café, police seized 84 vape cartridges and cash, arresting 27-year-old Bangladeshi national MD Abu Sufian. A subsequent search at a shop in Galolhu found more vaping devices. The enforcement follows amendments to the Tobacco Control Act effective December 15, 2024, which impose fines on importing, selling, distributing, and using vaping devices, and raise the legal age for tobacco to 21. Between December 15 and 22, nine individuals were fined a total of MVR 50,000. The government also introduced the Vaaru Pay system for online fine payment.

The Maldives Police Service, with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, conducted raids in Malé targeting illegal vaping. At a residence and café, police seized 84 vape cartridges and cash, arresting 27-year-old Bangladeshi national MD Abu Sufian. A subsequent search at a shop in Galolhu found more vaping devices. The enforcement follows amendments to the Tobacco Control Act effective December 15, 2024, which impose fines on importing, selling, distributing, and using vaping devices, and raise the legal age for tobacco to 21. Between December 15 and 22, nine individuals were fined a total of MVR 50,000. The government also introduced the Vaaru Pay system for online fine payment.

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