President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the 20th Amendment to the Export-Import Act, introducing new import duties on cigarettes, beedis and heated tobacco products while exempting smoking cessation products from import duty.

The amendment was passed by the Parliament on Wednesday. The bill has now come into effect following its ratification by the President and the subsequent publication in the Government Gazette.

Under the amendment, cigarettes, beedis and consumables for heated tobacco products will be subject to a specific import duty of MVR 4 per stick, in addition to an ad valorem import duty of 30 per cent.

The amendment also removes import duty on nicotine gum, nicotine patches and other products specifically manufactured to support smoking cessation. The Government said the change is intended to strengthen tobacco control measures while improving access to products that help people quit smoking.