President announces additional measures to discourage tobacco consumption

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced additional measures to discourage tobacco consumption in the Maldivian community. He made the announcement via a post from his official X account.

The President announced that he would be sending an amendment to the parliament, this week, to increase the import duty on tobacco products, effective November 1, 2024.

The proposed amendments include the specific rate on cigarettes and beedi to be increased from MVR 3 to MVR 8 and the ad valorem duty to be increased by 50 percent.

Special measures would be taken to strengthen the role of enforcement authorities to prohibit tobacco consumption in public places.

Furthermore, the President announced the imminent launch of a specialised, holistic, nationwide campaign to help people overcome addiction to tobacco consumption.

He called on public support to ensure that the Maldivian community is tobacco free.