The People's Majlis has passed a bill amending the Maldives Export-Import Act to lower the import duty on cigarettes to MVR 4 per stick.

The government-sponsored bill, submitted by PNC MP for the Komandoo constituency Mohamed Ibrahim, was approved without any changes exactly as proposed. The amendment passed overwhelmingly during today's sitting, securing 68 votes in favor out of the 69 members present.

Under the newly passed legislation, the specific duty on both cigarettes and beedis will be halved from the current MVR 8 to MVR 4, while the ad valorem duty rate will drop from 50 percent to 30 percent. Similarly, the taxes on heated tobacco products—tobacco products designed to be heated without combustion—will also be reduced, with the specific duty cut from MVR 8 to MVR 4 per stick and the ad valorem rate lowered from 50 percent to 30 percent.

In an effort to support public health initiatives, the bill introduces an exemption that removes import duties entirely for products specifically designed to aid smoking cessation. This duty-free status will apply to items such as nicotine chewing gum, nicotine patches, and other similar cessation aids.The bill states that the revised law will officially take effect as soon as it is ratified and signed into law by the President. Following its commencement, relevant state authorities are mandated to amend and publicize all necessary regulations and operational guidelines within a 30-day window.