Vaping ban kicks in Dec 15 as tobacco control bill enacted

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday ratified amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, prohibiting the the import, sale, free distribution, and use of vaping devices and e-cigarettes in the Maldives.

The ratification of the government bill, sponsored by North Henveiru MP Ahmed Aifan, came a day after the Parliament passed the legislature with a majority vote of 54, with eight abstaining.

The new legislature bans the import of e-cigarettes, vaping devices and spare parts starting Friday. Meanwhile, the use, possession, production, sale, distribution and advertisement of e-cigarettes and vaping devices will be banned starting December 15.

It also introduces an MVR 50,000 fine for distribution of e-cigarettes or vaping devices to minors.

The following are also prohibited under the new legislature:

• Tobacco use in all government institution buildings and their premises
• Fines for both users and property owners or operators if tobacco is used illegally in business or service establishments, with potential suspension of smoking permits and temporary suspension of business licenses
• Sale of any tobacco products to persons under 21 years or involving persons under 21 in tobacco sales transactions
• Selling tobacco products without verifying the buyer's age through ID or official documentation proving they are over 21
• Advertisement of any tobacco products
• Display of tobacco products or their packaging in retail locations visible to the public, with such displays being considered advertising
• Growing any tobacco plants or producing tobacco products in the Maldives
• Importing tobacco plants, seeds, or any parts that could be used for growing tobacco, and manufacturing any tobacco products in the Maldives
• Illegal advertising, sponsorship, or promotion of tobacco products
• Illegal import, export, distribution, or sale of tobacco or tobacco products

The Parliament has also passed legislature submitted by the government to increase the specific rate of import duty on cigarettes and beedi from MVR 3 to MVR 8, and the ad valorem tax on the products by 50 percent. The legislature was ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on October 31, and took effect the next day.

Tobacco importers and distributors have raised the prices of cigarettes following this change. The price of a pack of cigarettes has risen up to MVR 250, and the price of a cigarette carton to MVR 2,240.

The government projects the tax hikes on tobacco products will result in an additional MVR 1.05 billion in tax revenue next year.