Health Ministry Opens Tobacco Licensing Applications with Three-Month Compliance Period
Ministry of Health | Photo: MV+
The Ministry of Health has granted a three-month window for businesses involved in the trade of tobacco-related products to obtain the necessary operating licences. This measure is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen regulation of tobacco products in the Maldives.
The Ministry is currently accepting applications for five categories of licences. These include the licence to sell tobacco products either individually or in bulk, the licence to import tobacco products, the licence to re-export tobacco products, the licence to register a new tobacco product, and the licence to establish a designated smoking room or smoking area.
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Each licence will be valid for a five-year period, subject to the payment of the prescribed fee. Businesses must apply to renew their licences at least 60 days before the expiry date to avoid penalties or disruption of operations.
Applications are to be submitted through the Health Protection Agency (HPA) via the OneGov portal. For assistance with the submission process, businesses may contact the helpline at 1500 or email support@one.gov.mv.
The fees associated with the licences vary by type. A fee of MVR 5,000 applies to both obtaining and renewing a licence to sell tobacco products, while all other licence types carry a fee of MVR 10,000.
This licensing initiative follows a series of measures introduced by the government as part of its anti-smoking campaign launched last year. These measures include a ban on vapes and cigarettes, as well as a significant increase in import duties and taxes on cigarettes. As a result, the price of popular cigarette brands has more than doubled, with prices rising from MVR 110 to MVR 250 per pack.
In addition, the Cabinet has recently endorsed a generational smoking ban, which will prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals born on or after 2007, further underscoring the government’s commitment to reducing tobacco use in the country.
