Vape ban, tobacco tax increases, and new age restrictions proposed

In an effort to promote healthier lifestyles and safeguard future generations, the government is taking significant steps to curb the use of harmful substances such as vapes and cigarettes. With a growing focus on public health, officials have announced plans to ban the sale and use of vapes altogether. However, as the legislative process for the ban moves forward, the government is introducing immediate measures to discourage the import and consumption of these products. 

One such measure is a proposed amendment that seeks to increase the import duty on vapes between November 1 and November 15, 2024. This move highlights a broader strategy to reduce the availability of vaping products and signal the government's commitment to tackling health risks associated with smoking alternatives, even before the full ban takes effect. Although this is not the first time the negative health implications of harmful substances in vapes as well as cigarettes has been highlighted, with a sharp increase in health issues such as cancer in the Maldives, there has been a call for change in recent years. 

While the Government moves towards a possible full-ban on vapes and vape related products, the duty on vapes is set to rise to include a 50 percent tax on e-tobacco products as well as a charge of MVR 8 per sticker. Although the main goal of the bill is to increase prices in order to discourage citizens from buying e-cigarettes, the increase in tax will also bring an estimated revenue from import duties up to MVR 1.5 million in 2025.

In addition to the tax increases for both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu also announced his plans to propose an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act. If the amendments come into effect, the Maldives will see the legal age of tobacco and tobacco related products rise from age 18 to 21.