Deputy Speaker Nazim said that significant work is needed to discourage tobacco use and that merely raising prices will not resolve the issue if regulations are not enforced.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim said today that a tax hike will not achieve its intended goals unless regulations to control the trade and use of tobacco are effectively implemented.
During a debate on the government's proposed amendment to the Import Export Act, Nazim said that this change would position the Maldives as the second highest taxer on a pack of cigarettes.
Currently priced at MVR 100 in the market, the cost of a pack is expected to rise to MVR 250 due to the tax increase.
However, Nazim said that significant work is needed to discourage tobacco use and that merely raising prices will not resolve the issue if regulations are not enforced.
"If the government does not strengthen the regulations and implement necessary measures, the purpose of the law will not be achieved," he said.
He also highlighted the emergence of a black market in countries where cigarette prices have increased, warning that cheaper, low-quality cigarettes could infiltrate the Maldives market.
"The brands of cigarettes available in the Maldives are manufactured by reputable companies, but high prices could lead to the entry of cheaper cigarettes, which pose a greater health risk," Nazim said.
He highlighted the need for proper enforcement of regulations to prevent these low-quality products from entering the market and to combat smuggling.
MP Nazim said that the issue of vaping in the Maldives has escalated due to government's reluctance to implement regulatory measures.
As a result, imports of vaping devices have surged in recent years. In 2022, 250,000 vaping devices were imported, increasing to 394,000 last year, with 253,000 imported so far this year.
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