21 sports associations join call for vape ban, citing health hazard for athletes

21 national sports associations joined the call for a ban on vape and e-cigarettes in the Maldives on Wednesday, citing concern over an “alarming” increase in the use of such products within the local sporting community.

In a joint statement, the sports associations said it shares concerns from medical professionals, educators and others regarding the dangers of vapes and e-cigarettes.

The associations expressed concern over an alarming increase in the use of vapes and e-cigarettes by local athletes and trainers.

“As a consequence of medical complications from this such lung illness, we have noticed a drop in the performance in athletes, hindering their progress, reducing their fitness, and forcing them to leave their sports careers,” said the associations.

They said that this poses a huge challenge to the efforts by the government and civic groups to promote sports and fitness.

“This has also become a hinderance to our aspirations for gold medals in international sporting competitions,” said the associations.

The associations called for a ban on import, sale and use of vapes and e-cigarettes in the Maldives in order to “safeguard future generations.”