The government on Wednesday rolled out a strict regulation as it ramps up efforts to control and tobacco use in the archipelago .
The primary objective of the new tobacco control regulation, the government said, is to protect the community from tobacco use, which is among the most toxic substances and its safety limits have not been determined, leading to life threatening diseases.
Objectives of the new regulation also includes, making public places and workplaces smoke-free in order to ensure public health, promote well-being, and to help smokers to kick the habit.
The Ministry of Health through this regulation has set stricter standards to be followed in the trade of tobacco products. The regulation also specifies the types of permits issued for tobacco trade including ways in which such permits are issued and revoked.
Under the new regulation, smoking is prohibited in mosques, schools and public places. Smoking has also been banned in all government agencies, government companies, legal entities, state-owned companies and all government or state buildings. The ban has been extended to inside the premises of such buildings including balconies and their entrances.
Smoking is also prohibited in all public transportation vehicles and places, public gatherings in addition to public sports, exercise, entertainment and recreation facilities.
The new regulation includes rules for the establishment of smoking rooms or smoking areas which must be designed in a way that do not pose a danger to the public and others and do not promote smoking or tobacco use.
According to this regulation, businesses dealing in tobacco products must obtain a separate business permit. It also prohibits the sale of tobacco products to a person or minor under the age of 21 which is extended to the use of a minor in the sale, import, export and packaging of tobacco products.
Importers, re-exporters, wholesalers and retailers of tobacco must possess special licenses issued separately by the Ministry of Health.
The regulation has tightened the restriction on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products.
The government has also included details on the packaging and labeling of tobacco products imported and sold in the Maldives, while specifying measures to be taken against violations.
The list of penalties includes measures to be taken against those who violate the provisions in dealing with tobacco products, counterfeiters, illegal advertisers and for violations of packaging and labeling regulations.
The government has been taking landmark steps against tobacco use. One of the biggest measures was to increase the duty on imported cigarettes and the nationwide ban on use and sale of vape products.