Maldives to double import duty on cigarettes and beedi

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided on Tuesday to double the import duty on cigarettes and beedi – a measure he said is designed to discourage smoking.

In a post on X on Tuesday morning, President Muizzu said that the government will be submitting legislature to the Parliament this week to increase the specific rate of import duty and the ad valorem tax on cigarettes and beedi.

According to him, the changes to the Export/Import Act will take effect on November 1.

The changes:

• The specific rate of import duty on cigarettes and beedi will be increased from MVR 3 to MVR 8.
• The ad valorem tax on cigarettes and beedi will be increased by 50 percent.

President Muizzu also announced that special measures will be taken to boost the role of law enforcement agencies in preventing smoking in public spaces.

He also announced plans to launch a large-scale national campaign to help people quit smoking.

“I ask for everyone’s cooperation and assistance to make Maldives tobacco free,” he said.

The decision comes a day after he announced a ban on vapes.

On Monday, President Muizzu announced that the import of devices used for vaping along with spare parts of such devices will be banned starting November 15.

Meanwhile, the use, possession, production, sale and advertisement of devices used for vaping will be banned starting December 15.

According to Attorney General Ahmed Usham, the legislature needed to make the changes will be submitted to the Parliament this week.