Maldives Increases Duty on Banned Vapes and Tobacco Products

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the 19th Amendment to the Export-Import Act of the Maldives on Thursday, introducing significant changes to the import duties on tobacco and electronic devices. The amendment comes after the People’s Majlis recently approved a bill to increase cigarette prices starting from Friday.

The bill, submitted on behalf of the government by MP for North Mahchangoalhi constituency Ibrahim Mohamed, passed during Monday’s parliament sitting with 71 votes from the parliamentarians present, while eight members voted against it. Parliament initially accepted the bill on imposing duty on vapes and cigarettes in mid-October with the votes of 65 lawmakers.

Revised Import Regulations and Duty Rates

The amendment revises Section 5 (m)(1)(i) of the Export-Import Act, modifying the import regulations for tobacco products, including prepared tobacco, tobacco alternatives, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, heated tobacco products, and their parts. Additionally, Chapter 24, as mentioned in Section 7 (a) of the Act, has been amended.

Following ratification, the new import duty rates on tobacco and related products have been publicized:

200 percent duty on all items in the general tobacco and prepared tobacco products category, excluding specific items
50 percent duty on cigarettes, with MVR eight charged per cigarette
50 percent duty on Beedi, with MVR eight charged per Beedi
50 percent duty on flavored chemicals used in electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products, with MVR eight charged per milliliter
50 percent duty on heated tobacco products and consumable tobacco sticks, with MVR eight charged per stick

The President’s Office also revealed a revision to Chapter 85 (s) of Section 7 (a) regarding electronic machinery, equipment, and parts, including electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and tobacco heating products, which now incur a 200 percent import duty.

Implementation and Public Concerns

Among the other significant amendments introduced in Section 8(1) of the act, the government must establish or update all relevant rules and regulations within 30 days of the enactment of the amendment and publish them in the government gazette.

The 19th amendment to the Export-Import Act of Maldives officially took effect on November 1, 2024, marking a new regulatory landscape for the import of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices in the Maldives.

Some members of the public have raised questions about the effectiveness of increasing the price of tobacco products alone in curbing tobacco use and whether increasing the duty on vapes and tobacco would reduce the number of users. The decision to increase the duty on vapes despite the ban on their use, import, and sale has also sparked public debate.

President Orders Ban on Vaping Devices

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, effective from November 15, 2024. The president has instructed relevant authorities to initiate the necessary actions to prohibit the import of vape devices, accessories, and parts, as well as to take all necessary measures to prohibit the use, possession, production, sale, advertising, and free distribution of vaping devices in the Maldives from December 15, 2024, onwards.

The president’s decision to ban vaping comes at a time when several associations, including the Maldivian Medical Association (MMA), the Nurses Association, and 21 national sports associations, have called on authorities to ban the import of several tobacco products and vapes into the country.

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Pres. ratifies amendment increasing duty on banned vapes, tobacco products

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

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.