The price of a pack of cigarettes increased to MVR 250 after import duty on single cigarettes increased from MVR 3 to MVR 8.

A pack of cigarettes is currently available between MVR 240 and MVR 250 while a carton is available for MVR 2240. Root, one of the largest importers of cigarettes in the Maldives, used to sell a carton for MVR 995.

The amendment to the Export-Import Act to increase import duties on vapes, electric cigarettes and tobacco products was ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Friday.

It increased the duty on flavours and chemicals added to electronic cigarettes or other tobacco products to 50 percent and by MVR 8 per milliliter.

Import duty on heated tobacco products will be increased by 50 percent and the price of each stick will rise by MVR 8.

Additionally, the import duty on cigarettes will be increased by MVR 8 per cigarette.

The change is expected to generate MVR 180.3 million in revenue this year alone, while the amount is expected to be at MVR 1,058.7 million from import duties on cigarettes alone next year.