Maldives is currently experiencing a shortage of tobacco used for rolling bidi cigarettes, as reported by local newspaper Adhadhu. This scarcity follows the seizure of a significant shipment by the Maldives Customs Service, leading to depleted stocks among major retailers.
According to Adhadhu, Root Store and OCC, two of the nation’s largest importers and sellers of tobacco products, have confirmed the unavailability of bidi rolling tobacco in their inventories. An official from Root Store informed the newspaper that their recent shipment is being held by customs pending a governmental decision on the legality of selling rolling tobacco in the Maldives. The official stated, “A rolling tobacco shipment was detained by Customs because the government has not yet made a decision on whether rolling tobacco can be sold in the Maldives or not.”
Despite this, OCC has indicated that they expect to restock bidi rolling tobacco in the coming days, though an exact date remains uncertain. The previously common queues outside Root Store and OCC have notably disappeared due to the current shortage.
This development coincides with recent government measures aimed at reducing tobacco consumption. On November 1, 2024, the 19th amendment to the Export-Import Act came into effect, effectively doubling the import duty on cigarettes and bidis. The specific import duty increased from MVR 3 to MVR 8 per cigarette, accompanied by a 50% rise in the ad valorem tax. Consequently, the retail price of a cigarette pack surged from MVR 110 to MVR 250. Additionally, the import, sale, and use of vaping devices were banned starting November 15, 2024.
In response to the growing demand for roll-your-own tobacco products, the Ministry of Health has directed customs to seize items used in tobacco production, including rolling papers and filters, to enforce the Tobacco Control Act, which prohibits tobacco manufacturing in the Maldives.
These combined actions reflect the government’s commitment to curbing tobacco use and addressing public health concerns, leading to the current shortage of bidi rolling tobacco in the Maldives.
