Three institutes to Committee to discuss cigarette tax bill

Health Protection Agency (HPA), Maldives Customs Service and the Tobacco Control Board has been summoned to the Parliament Economic Committee to discuss the bill to amend Import/Export Act to increase import duty taken from energy drinks and cigarettes.

The bill, put forward on behalf of government by Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir proposes increasing import duty on cigarettes to MVR 2 per cigarette, and increasing import duty on energy drinks and soft drinks to MVR 4.60 per liter.

Following the Economic Committee session held today to discuss the bill, the members decided to summon the HPA, Customs and the Tobacco Control Board to the discuss the bill.

After the discussions the bill is expected to pass by the end of the month.