The Maldives is implementing new regulations on November 15, which will result in tourists having their vapes confiscated upon arrival to the country.
If a traveler arrives with a vape, they can deposit it at a designated counter at the airport for a receipt and collect it again upon departure, tourism officials in the popular Indian Ocean holiday destination told media.
Turkey, Singapore, Mexico, India, Brazil, and Thailand are among the other countries that do not allow travelers to bring vapes with them.
The Maldives import ban also applies to tobacco, smoking accessories, shishas, and flavored cigarettes, with one exception: travelers aged 18 and over with a tourist visa may import up to 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.
People who vape are generally advised to double-check whether they are allowed to bring their device with them on holiday before getting on a flight.
In Thailand, which has some of the world’s strictest anti-vaping rules, anyone caught breaking the e-cigarette laws can be punished with a steep fine or even imprisonment for up to five years.
In Australia, there has been a ban on the import of all types of vapes since March 2024 unless a special license or permit has been obtained.
