Generational smoking ban bill sent to 7-member select committee

The amendments proposed by the government to the Tobacco Control Act – the chief of which is the enforcement of a smoking ban for the post-2007 generation – has been accepted into the Parliament and sent to a select committee for review.

Maldives implemented a blanket ban on the import, sale, free distribution, and use of vaping devices and e-cigarettes in mid-December last year as part of a campaign against smoking launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. Earlier this month, the administration announced plans to impose a smoking ban for the post-2007 generation.

The government bill, sponsored by ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentarian Ali Ashraq, was accepted into the Parliament with a majority vote of 61-1 on Wednesday. The sole dissenting vote came from Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo), a parliamentarian from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Following the passage of the bill, PNC’s parliamentary group leader, Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah proposed appointing a select committee to review the case. This proposal was seconded by fellow PNC parliamentarian, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau.

The decision to have the bill reviewed by a seven-member select committee instead of a permanent one was made with a majority vote of 63-2.

The select committee is composed of:

• West Maafannu MP Mohamed Mustafa Ibrahim
• Kaashidhoo MP Mohamed Munthazim
• South Fuvahmulah MP Ibrahim Hussain
• Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh
• Kudahuvadhoo MP Hussain Hameed
• Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas
• North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu)

The seven received approval for appointment to the committee with a majority vote of 63-3.

The proposed bill prohibits both the consumption by and sale of tobacco products to Maldivian citizens born on or after January 1, 2007.

This ban is set to take effect on November 1.

The ban also extends to sale of tobacco products through methods where the age of the purchaser cannot be verified, such as through vending machines, online, or via courier.

The bill is also designed to empower the police to confiscate e-cigarettes and vaping devices found in possession of individuals, regardless of whether they are caught using it or not.

President Muizzu launched a campaign against smoking last year, introducing a ban vapes and e-cigarettes, and doubling import duty and taxes on cigarettes.

The move doubled the price of the most common cigarette brands from MVR 110 to MVR 240 per pack.

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.

While businesses initially reported a drop in the sale of cigarettes, there has been an increase in the sale of rolling tobacco and cheaper lower quality cigarette brands, as well as a surge in the smuggling of cigarettes.