President Muizzu Ratifies 19th Amendment to Curb Tobacco Imports and Boost Revenue

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the 19th Amendment to the Maldives Export-Import Act, introducing stricter import duties on tobacco and related products to support the government's efforts to control tobacco use. Passed unanimously by Parliament on October 31, the amendment significantly raises import duties on a range of tobacco products and enforces a complete ban on importing e-cigarettes, vape products, and associated items from November 15.

The new duty structure under the amendment includes:

- General tobacco and prepared tobacco products: 200% import duty (excluding specified items).

- Cigarettes and traditional cigarettes (bidi): 50% duty plus MVR 8 per cigarette.

- Flavored chemicals for e-cigarettes: 50% duty plus MVR 8 per milliliter.

- Heated tobacco products and consumable sticks: 50% duty plus MVR 8 per stick.

This amendment mandates that all updated rules be published within 30 days in the Government Gazette. The changes, now effective, align with President Muizzu’s broader anti-tobacco stance, as seen in recent bans on vape products. The government projects that these duties could generate MVR 1.04 billion in revenue in the coming year.