If the public wants, will allow vapes and reduce cigarette duty: Fayyaz

MDP chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has said a future MDP government would reverse the ban on vaping and reduce cigarette duty if the public supported the move.

Vaping and its trade were banned in Maldives on December 15 last year under amendments to the Tobacco Control Act.

The law also introduced penalties of MVR 50,000 for importing vaping products and MVR 10,000 for each electronic device brought into the country. In addition, duty on cigarettes was raised to MVR 8 last November.

Speaking at the opposition MDP’s National Assembly yesterday, Fayyaz said the party would “correct the mistakes” of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu if it returned to power.

“Hopefully our government will once again come to power and improve everything President Muizzu is doing,” he said.

Fayyaz pledged to repeal the media regulation bill on “the very first day” of an MDP government, and said other changes would be decided after consulting the public, including rolling back the vape ban and lowering cigarette duty.

He said President Muizzu went forward with the vape ban due to growing concerns over its use among school children.

Seven of the 11 countries in the region currently prohibit vaping.