Majlis Committee passes to implement Regulation on Determining Tobacco-Free Zones as scheduled

The Subordinate Regulations Committee of the People’s Majlis has decided not to delay the date of beginning the enforcement of the “Regulation on Determining Tobacco-Free Zones”.

With the decision of the Committee, the Regulation would come into effect on the 1st of this January as per the original schedule.

The new Regulation, aimed at inhibiting the consumption of tobacco products, would prohibit smoking in many defined areas in cities and islands of the country.

Traders’ Associations and MP for Nolhivaram Constituency Mohammed Nasheed proposed to delay the starting date of the Regulation for one year. The Subordinate Regulations Committee considered the matter today, and made a final decision on a narrowly-won vote.

MPs belonging to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supported the proposal to delay the starting date of the Regulation, saying that there are “a lot of issues with the Regulation” and that it is “highly difficult to comply with it as it is now”. They also noted that “the community is not sufficiently aware of the new Regulation”.

Those who vouched for the implementation of the Regulation as per the original schedule said that the Maldives has delayed attempts to control tobacco in violation of its international obligations arising out of ratified conventions, and that it is time to do something. The same members said that any issues with the Regulation could be corrected in the future while it is still in use.

Two proposals were made during the debate at the Committee. Ahmed Shareef, MP for Thimarafushi Constituency proposed to implement the Regulation on the 1st of January, and then review the Regulation within the next 6 months and correct any issues with it. Ahmed Thaariq, MP for Manadhoo Constituency backed the original proposal to delay the implementation by a year.

Four members voted in favor of Shareef’s proposition, while three members supported Thaariq’s proposition.

Under the Regulation, smoking or similar consumption of tobacco at teashops, cafés and restaurants, parks, government office premises, office premises of companies with government shareholding, office premises of independent state institutions, public places where people usually gather in numbers, old age homes, homes for those who need special care, and rehabilitation centres, among some other places, would be prohibited. However, cafés and restaurants can define a special are where people can smoke, under a special permission obtained from the Ministry of Health.