Health Ministry orders to seize any items used in tobacco production

As production of any tobacco products in the country is banned under the Tobacco Control Act, the Ministry of Health has ordered Maldives Customs Service to implement this by seizing any items used in such production.

An amendment to the Tobacco Control Act was brought in November last year.

This amendment bans vapes, as well as importing of any items used in the production of tobacco products such as cigars or cigarettes.

A letter sent by the Health Ministry to Customs Commissioner General Fathimath Dhiyana advising them of this change has been circulating on social media.

The letter, dated December 24, states that under the first amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, Article 10 of the Act stipulates that any production of tobacco products in the country is banned.

Another letter sent by the Health Ministry states that cessation services are to be provided as soon as possible. As such, they stated that STO is working to provide Nicotine Replacement Therapy through pharmacies in all islands.

As such, the letter also appeals to Customs to allow duty free import of a nicotine gum shipment being brought in by STO.

Article 42 (f) defines 'tobacco products' as any products made using tobacco leaves, stems, or nicotine. Tobacco products are any products which allow use through smoking, chewing, smelling, sticking to the body, applying or otherwise.

However, products used for tobacco cessation, or those used in tobacco replacement therapy as defined by technical authorities will still be allowed.

The ban is already defined in the law, an HPA official told Mihaaru, stating that the letter in question only directs implementation of this law.

'Production of tobacco' is defined in the law as drying tobacco via air, sunlight or fire or other ways of preparing tobacco leaves.

The government has also raised duties on cigarettes by 50 percent.