The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said that vendor licences required under the Tobacco Control Act have so far been issued to 437 businesses.

The requirement follows amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, which introduced stricter controls on the sale, import and distribution of tobacco products. Under the revised law, all businesses engaged in tobacco-related activities are required to obtain a business-specific tobacco licence from the Ministry of Health, in addition to a general business permit issued by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

The amendments also mandate the registration of every type of tobacco product sold in the Maldives. According to the HPA, a total of 312 tobacco products had been registered in the country as of last month.

In addition to vendor licences, the HPA said tobacco import licences have been issued to 31 parties, while tobacco re-export licences have been granted to two parties.

The measures form part of efforts by the Government to move towards a tobacco-free society. Recent actions include increased customs duties on tobacco products, a complete ban on vapes and e-cigarettes, and the introduction of a generational tobacco ban prohibiting tobacco use by individuals born on or after 1 January 2007.