PNC lawmaker says smokers should be denied Aasandha

People who smoke cigarettes should be denied coverage under the public health insurance scheme Aasandha, says Mohamed Ismail, the deputy leader of the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)’s parliamentary group.

The Parliament on Tuesday morning held a preliminary debate on amendments submitted by the government to the Import/Export Act. The amendments seek to increase the tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as the tax on e-cigarettes and vapes until a planned ban kicks in.

During the debate, Mohamed Ismail, who represents the Vilimale’ constituency, dismissed allegations that the sole purpose of the bill is to increase tax revenue.

“This has a far nobler purpose. This is being done to provide a healthier future for the Maldivian people and to save the younger generation from ruination because of vapes,” he said.

He said that people who suffer major illnesses because of cigarettes and other tobacco products receive Aasandha coverage, same as anyone else.

“The treatment for major illnesses using Aasandha. I believe that when the bill is passed, there should be an added provision that denies Aasandha coverage to anyone who smokes cigarettes,” he said.

Mohamed Ismail said that the public is well aware of that smoking cigarettes is harmful to the health.

“The people clearly know that this is harmful to the health,” he said.

The legislative changes will increase the specific rate of import duty for cigarettes and beedi from MVR 3 to MVR 8, and the ad valorem tax on the products by 50 percent, starting November 1.

The government also plans to raise the legal smoking age in the Maldives from 18 to 21 years.

The legislative changes will also see the specific raise of import duty for flavors and chemicals for e-cigarettes and vapes increased to MVR 8 per milliliter, and the ad valorem tax on the products by 50 percent until a ban on vaping kicks in.

Maldives is set to ban the import of devices used for vaping along with spare parts of such devices starting November 15. Meanwhile, the use, possession, production, sale and advertisement of devices used for vaping will be banned starting December 15.

The government has also announced that special measures will be taken to boost the role of law enforcement agencies in preventing smoking in public spaces, and a large-scale national campaign will be launched to help people quit smoking.