Maldives Requires New Tobacco Sales Licenses

The Maldives Ministry of Health announced Sunday (April.19) that applications are now open for mandatory new Tobacco Sales Licenses. Under a recent amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, all wholesale and retail sellers of tobacco products must secure this specific license from the ministry, in addition to existing trade licenses.

Businesses involved in the tobacco trade have been given three months from the announcement date (April 20, 2025) to obtain the necessary license(s). Applications are processed through the government’s OneGov portal via the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The regulations establish four distinct license categories:

Wholesale or Retail Selling of Tobacco Products
Importing Tobacco Products
Re-exporting Tobacco Products
Registration of New Tobacco Products

Each license carries a fee and is valid for five years, requiring renewal application 60 days prior to expiry. The fee for wholesale and retail licenses is MVR 5,000, while import and re-export licenses cost MVR 10,000. A separate MVR 10,000 fee applies for establishing designated smoking areas in cafes and restaurants.

The ministry warned that failure to comply or breaching regulations can lead to license revocation and significant fines, ranging from MVR 1,000 up to MVR 1,000,000, as defined in the Act.

News source: Health Ministry gives three months to take Tobacco Sales License

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Matthew Ma

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With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.