President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ordered to bring amendments to laws to raise import duty on cigarettes from MVR 3 to MVR 8 to encourage people to avoid smoking.

In a post on X, President Muizzu said the specific rate and ad valorem rate of import duty on cigarettes will be increased from 1 November.

The amendments sent to Parliament include:

1. Increase the specific rate of import duty on cigarettes from MVR 3 to MVR 8 under Chapter 24 of Article 7 of the Export-Import Act
2. Increase the ad valorem rate on these goods by 50 percent

President Muizzu said special measures will be taken to strengthen the role of enforcement agencies to prevent smoking in public places.

"At the same time, a national, technically recognized, comprehensive, large-scale campaign will be launched to help habitual smokers quit the habit," he stated.

The President concluded his post by asking all citizens to cooperate and assist in making this country a tobacco-free society.

On Monday, the government announced a ban on the import, use and trade of vaping devices and their components from December.

Attorney General Ahmed Usham said that the necessary amendments to the law to will be sent to the Parliament this week.