Gov’t Announces Increased Tobacco Import Duties
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to double the import duty on cigarettes and other tobacco products, aiming to discourage smoking in the country.
In a post on X, Muizzu stated that the government will submit legislation to Parliament this week to raise both the specific rate of import duty and the ad valorem tax on these tobacco products.
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ދުންފަތުގެ އިސްތިޢުމާލު ކުރުމުން ދުރުހެލިވުމަށް ބާރު އެޅުމުގެ ގޮތުން ތިރީގައިވާ ފިޔަވަޅުތައް އެޅުމަށް ވަނީ ނިންމާފައި:
ސިގިރޭޓާއި ބިޑިން ނަގާ އިމްޕޯޓް ޑިއުޓީގެ ސްޕެސިފިކް ރޭޓާއި އެޑްވެލޮރަމް ރޭޓް ތިރީގައިވާ ގޮތަށް 1 ނޮވެމްބަރ 2024 އިން ފެށިގެން ބޮޑުކުރުމަށް ޤާނޫނަށް އިސްލާޙު…— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) October 15, 2024
Under the proposed changes, which will come into effect on November 1, the specific rate of import duty on cigarettes and other tobacco products will increase from MVR 3 to MVR 8. Additionally, the ad valorem tax on these products will rise by 50 per cent. Muizzu also mentioned that law enforcement agencies will be given enhanced responsibilities to prevent smoking in public spaces.
Furthermore, Muizzu outlined plans for a large-scale national campaign aimed at helping individuals quit smoking. He urged the public to support these initiatives, stating, “I ask for everyone’s cooperation and assistance to make Maldives tobacco-free.”
This decision follows the Muizzu’s announcement of a ban on vaping products. Effective November 15, the import of vaping devices and their spare parts will be prohibited. Subsequently, from December 15, the use, possession, production, sale, and advertisement of vaping devices will also be banned.
