Maldives is set to start enforcing the new Tobacco Control laws from May 31, with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) warning that violaters will be penalized.

Under the packaging and labelling guidelines of tobacco products, the grace period expires by May 31. Any required changes must be brought before the deadline. Sales of individual cigarettes will also be put to a halt after May 31.

The new tobacco laws ban sale of other tobacco products to quantities above 30 grams. New laws would force packaging to follow strict rules and include graphic warnings in an attempt to steer the youth away from smoking.

Sale of products that are in violation of these rules will also be banned, and if one is found guilty they will be penalized over ten times the money.