News

Sale of single cigarettes banned in the Maldives

The sale of single cigarettes is no longer legal in the Maldives.

Part of the new tobacco regulations which were gazetted on January 31st were enforced and became effective from 0000hrs of 31st May.

The implementation of the regulations are phased over three parts, with the ban on the sale of loose cigarette being the first part of implementation.

The new regulations will make it compulsory for graphic health warning labels on cigarette packs to be displayed on cigarette packs. This part of the regulation will be implemented on July 31st, and the sale of cigarette packs without the label will be illegal from November 30 onward.

Failure to follow the regulations will multiply the total amount of sale of item by ten times as a fine. A second offense would incur a fine of MVR 5000, while a third time offense would have a penalty of MVR 10,000 as fines. The fourth violation will be fined by MVR 20,000.