A week after minister’s claim, WHO still hasn’t confirmed advising a cut in cigarette duty

When asked whether the World Health Organization (WHO) had advised the Maldivian government to reduce cigarette duty, there has been no answer.

After Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan publicly stated that the WHO had recommended lowering tariffs on tobacco products, Sun contacted the organization a week ago, and has yet to receive a response.

Sun emailed the WHO Representative to Maldives, Payden, on June 1 seeking clarification. The organization was asked to confirm whether it had issued the advice the government claims to have received. No reply has been provided to date.

The question arose after Minister Ihusaan said the government was considering reversing its decision to increase tobacco duty from MVR 3.50 to MVR 8, and reducing it by half to MVR 4.

At a press conference on May 31, Ihusaan said the duty hike to MVR 8 on cigarettes had been introduced to prevent vape users from switching to cigarettes following the vape ban. He added that the WHO, after conducting a study, had recommended reducing the duty to MVR 4.

“This is a rate we are considering. We will discuss it with all relevant agencies and stakeholders. If there is agreement, the government will submit the recommendation to Parliament,” he said.

He added that the government would rely on the advice of major financial institutions and technical experts when making such a decision.

Since the duty increase in November last year, the price of a pack of cigarettes has risen from MVR 110 to MVR 250.

Some traders say this has led to a decline in cigarette sales, while concerns have grown over the rise in smuggled cigarettes, home‑made cigarettes, and rolling tobacco.