Cigarette imports into Maldives see significant drop

The number of cigarettes imported into the Maldives has seen a noticeable decline this year, continuing a downward trend over the past three years, according to data from Maldives Customs.

From January to July 2025, a total of 42.3 million cigarettes were imported, valued at MVR 35.5 million (CIF value). This marks a significant drop compared to previous years.

In contrast, between January and September last year, the Maldives imported tobacco products worth MVR 234 million, including a much higher volume of cigarettes. For the whole of 2023, customs data show that 350 million cigarettes were imported, valued at MVR 265.9 million.

Going further back, in 2022, the country imported approximately 356.7 million cigarettes, with a CIF value of MVR 251.8 million.

By the end of 2023, customs had recorded cigarette imports totaling 338 million sticks, worth MVR 271.6 million, indicating a steady year-on-year decline.

Officials attribute this trend to stricter tobacco control measures. In November 2022, the government increased import duties on cigarettes, which came into effect the following year. As a result, the price of a cigarette rose significantly.

In November 2024, the duty was raised again, by MVR 8 per cigarette, as part of ongoing efforts to curb tobacco use in the country.