Committee passes bill, price of a cigarette pack to rise to MVR 80

The committee of People’s Majlis has passed the bill to increase import duty on cigarettes and energy and soft drinks, deciding to increase import duty to MVR 2 per cigarette, which will increase the price of a pack of cigarettes to MVR 80.

The bill to amend Import/Export Act was put forward on behalf of government by Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir and proposed to increase import duty on cigarettes from MVR 1.25 to MVR 2 per cigarette, and increasing import duty on energy drinks and soft drinks to MVR 4.60 per liter.

After evaluating the bill, the committee voted on increasing import duty of cigarettes to MVR 2 per cigarette, and charging an extra 20 percent on bulk purchases.

If the bill is passed by People’s Majlis as has been voted by the committee, it will push the price of a pack of cigarettes from MVR 50 to MVR 80.

The committee vote was unanimous.

Committee members approved increasing import duty of energy drinks to MVR 4.60 per liter, but voted against changing import duty on soft drinks.