Govt proposes business permit revoke for irregular smoking
The amendment also strengthens the existing prohibition on the cultivation and use of tobacco plants in the Maldives.
Government has proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, introducing measures to revoke business licences of cafes and restaurants if smoking regulations are violated in those premises.
The proposed Tobacco Control Act Amendment Bill was tabled in parliament on Wednesday by Henveiru North MP Ahmed Aifan on behalf of the government.
The amendments follow the government's recent decision to ban the importation of vaping products and enforce 21 years as the minimum age for tobacco transactions. The existing Tobacco Control Act, which came into effect in August 2010, imposes a fine of MVR 500 for smoking in prohibited areas but has not been amended in the past 14 years.
The first amendment to the law proposes additional regulations, which include:
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Empowering the ministry to recommend temporary suspension or revocation of the business licence of cafes and restaurants where smoking occurs in violation of the permit.
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Granting the minister the authority to revoke permits if smoking regulations are breached in cafes and restaurants.
The amendment also strengthens the existing prohibition on the cultivation and use of tobacco plants in the Maldives. Changes to Article 10 of the Act outline further restrictions, including:
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Prohibiting the cultivation or production of any type of tobacco plant in the Maldives.
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Banning the import of tobacco plants and any parts of tobacco plants that can be used for cultivation.
If passed by parliament, the amendments will take effect from November 15.
The new amendments will also prohibit shops from selling tobacco products to people below the age of 21 years, with stores required to display a warning indicating that sales to anyone under the legal age are prohibited by law.
