President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced a significant increase in the import duty on tobacco products, raising it to eight percent starting in November 2024. This is part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing tobacco use across the country.
In a social media post on X, the President outlined several measures to be implemented in November, including the following:
- The specific import duty on cigarettes and related products will increase from MVR 3 to MVR 8.
- The ad valorem tax rate on tobacco products will be raised by 50 percent.
The President also emphasized stricter enforcement of smoking bans in public spaces, calling on all citizens to cooperate in creating a tobacco-free society.
This announcement comes on the heels of a decision to ban the import, sale, distribution, advertisement, and use of vapes starting in November, further highlighting the government’s strong stance on combating tobacco use.
Maldives to Implement Total Vape Ban with Legislative Amendments This Week
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has declared a total ban on vapes and vape-related products in the Maldives, instructing relevant authorities to enforce these changes by two specified deadlines.
