Tobacco cessation clinics to be expanded to all residential islands

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to establish tobacco cessation clinics in all residential islands of the Maldives.

The decision was announced by the President’s in a statement on Monday afternoon.

According to the statement, President Muizzu made the decision following deliberations on a paper presented by the Health Ministry during a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

President’s Office said that President Muizzu approved plans to supply all cities and atoll-hospital based islands with smoking cessation medications via the State Trading Organization (STO).

He also made the decision to have smoking cessation services provided in all medical care facilities as a preventive healthcare service.

Last month, the Maldives enacted legislature increasing 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.

Tobacco importers and distributors raised the prices of cigarettes following this change, with the price of common cigarette brands rising between MVR 240 to MVR 290 per pack, and MVR 2,240 per carton.

Store owners have reported a decline in the sale of cigarettes following the change.

Maldives has also enacted legislature which banned the import of e-cigarettes, vaping devices and spare parts on November 15.

Meanwhile, the use, possession, production, sale, distribution and advertisement of e-cigarettes and vaping devices will be banned starting December 15.

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