Parliament Wednesday passed the government proposed bill to increase the excise duty on energy drinks and cigarettes.
The government lawmaker who submitted the bill to Parliament stated that this was part of an effort by the government to discourage people from substances that were harmful to their health.
While all lawmakers generally agreed to raising of the duty on the products, some opposition MPs questioned the real motive of the government behind this sudden hike in duties.
MDP lawmakers had attempted to block the vote by hijacking the Speaker's chair after the parliament rejected an opposition proposed amendment to reserve five percent of revenue from the duty hike to conduct public awareness campaigns to the dangers of tobacco and energy drinks.
Despite protests by MDP lawmakers, the amendment was passed with 52 members voting in favour while only four were against.
Government had proposed to raise excise duty on each cigarette by MVR1.75 which would likely elevate the price of a pack from the current MVR47 to over MVR50.
Government hopes the duty hike on cigarettes would yield a revenue of an estimated MVR200 million next year.
In addition, the 20 percent excise duty increase on fizzy drinks would boost government revenue by MVR9 billion.