Tobacco Trade in Maldives Requires Licences Under Amended Act

The Ministry of Health has announced that trading tobacco products in the Maldives will require a valid licence under the newly amended Tobacco Control Act, which came into effect last Friday.

The amendment mandates that individuals or businesses involved in importing, exporting, or selling tobacco products—whether in bulk or individually—must obtain a licence issued by the Ministry of Health, in addition to a business permit.

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އިޢުލާން: ދުންފަތުގެ ބާވަތްތައް ރާއްޖެއަށް އެތެރެކޮށް ބޭނުންކުރުމާގުޅޭ pic.twitter.com/i7nD1kWBDo— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) November 21, 2024

Within 60 days of the law’s enforcement, the ministry is required to draft a regulation outlining the licensing process. Once this regulation is finalised, tobacco traders must secure the necessary permits within the specified timeframe. Thereafter, any tobacco trade conducted without a valid licence will be prohibited.

The Ministry of Health emphasised that licences will be revoked for violations of the law, with penalties ranging from MVR 1,000 to MVR 1,000,000. Offences such as unauthorised trade, smuggling, non-disclosure, fraud, or breaches of packaging and labelling regulations during import or export will incur fines amounting to ten times the total taxes and fees payable. For example, if MVR 1,000 in taxes is due, the fine would be MVR 10,000.

The amendments aim to strengthen regulatory oversight and promote compliance within the tobacco trade sector.