The Tobacco Control Board has commenced amendments to the Tobacco Control Act.
According to board member and Deputy Director of Health Protection Authority (HPA), Hassan Mohamed, the Act is being amended since there are difficulties in enforcing both the rectified Tobacco Control Act of 2010 and the regulations on tobacco free areas passed in 2012. He added that it is also time that the old Tobacco General Act was renewed.
“The amendment process is currently ongoing with emphasis on the latest research, treaties and experiences of other countries,” he said.
He also highlighted that the current laws do not clearly classify the obligations of the board and parental authorities.
The chair of the Tobacco Control Board is the Minister of Health. The board includes 13 members from various sectors with meetings conducted every two weeks.
Meanwhile, the government has recently proposed to increase the Import Duty of cigarettes in a move to minimise smoking in the Maldives.
Sign In