The bill on imposing duty on vapes and cigarettes has been greenlighted by the People’s Majlis.

The People’s Majlis approved increasing cigarette prices starting from Friday, on Thursday.

The bill to amend the Import Export Act of Maldives was submitted on behalf of the government by MP for North Mahchangoalhi constituency Ibrahim Mohamed.

The bill was passed during Monday's parliament sitting with 71 votes from the parliamentarians present. Eight members voted against passing the bill.

The bill on imposing duty on vapes and cigarettes was accepted by parliament in mid-October with the votes of 65 lawmakers.

Although all lawmakers backed the bill, some raised questions about whether increasing the price of tobacco products alone could stop tobacco use, while others questioning if increasing the duty on vapes and tobacco would reduce the number of users.

It has been decided to increase the duty on vapes as well, despite the decision to ban their use, import, and sale.

The government had earlier stated that the amendment to ban the use, import, and sale of vapes would be sent to the parliament within October.

As a result, the public has been raising questions about the submission to the parliament to increase import duty on tobacco products and vapes.

The bill aims to increase the import duty on tobacco and tobacco products under the Maldives Export Import Act, and to increase the import duty on electronic cigarettes and vaping devices until their import is banned under the Tobacco Control Act.

The bill also aims to specify the conditions under which import duty and royalty revenue fees can be waived under the Export Import Act.

The bill proposes to increase the fee on cigarettes by 50 percent and MVR eight per cigarette.

Further, it proposes to increase the fee on beedi by 50 percent and MVR eight per beedi as well as increasing the fee on e-cigarettes or tobacco consumption device flavors by 50 percent and MVR eight per milliliter.

It also proposes to increase the fee on heated tobacco products or tobacco products designed to be used without burning by 50 percent and MVR eight per stick.

According to the amendment, this import duty rate is being implemented from 1 November 2024 onwards.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that he has ordered the ban on importing vaping devices and their individual components to the Maldives.

The ban will be effective from 15 November 2024.

The president has instructed relevant authorities to initiate the necessary actions to prohibit the import of vape devices, accessories, and parts, in a bid to take concrete steps to ban vaping.

Further, the president has instructed relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to prohibit the use, possession, production, sale, advertising, and free distribution of vaping devices in the Maldives from 15 December 2024 onwards.

The president’s decision to ban vaping has come at a time several associations have been calling to implement a ban on vapes.

The Maldivian Medical Association (MMA), the Nurses Association, and 21 national sports associations have also called on authorities to ban the import of several tobacco products and vapes into the country.

However, the president is yet to order a ban on importing other tobacco products that these associations have called to prohibit.