The Ministry of Health announced today that tobacco products can only be traded with a valid license once the amended Tobacco Control Act comes into effect.
The Ministry of Health announced today that tobacco products can only be traded with a valid license once the amended Tobacco Control Act comes into effect.
The first amendment to the Tobacco Control Act came into force last Friday.
Under the new law, anyone importing or exporting tobacco products or selling them in bulk or individually in the Maldives must obtain a valid license issued by the Ministry of Health in addition to a business permit.
The ministry must draft a separate regulation for issuing licenses within 60 days of the law's enforcement.
Once the regulation is finalized, special permits for tobacco sales will be required within the specified period. Following this, any tobacco trade without a valid permit will be prohibited.
The ministry also stated that licenses will be revoked if the tobacco trade violates the law. Violators will face fines ranging from MVR 1,000 to MVR 1,000,000.
For offenses such as unauthorized trade, smuggling, non-disclosure, fraud, or violations of packaging and labeling regulations at the import or export stage, the fine will be ten times the total amount of taxes and fees payable. For example, if the total payable is MVR 1,000, the fine will be MVR 1,000.
Sign In
