madamaa 2.30 gai Raajje tv ge program baiverivan' hurihaa bayfulhun bahlavaalahvaathi varah muhinmu vaahaka genes deyne.
@Adamsaleem3098@adduXfiles@Azumeel
In one of the most confusing U-turns on tobacco policy, the Government of Maldives has announced plans to reduce tobacco tax from 8% to 4%, reportedly following a recommendation from the WHO.
This comes despite President @MMuizzu stating just 20 days ago that there had been no policy reversal.
Ironically, it is the Home Minister who appears to be leading this policy initiative.
Can @WHOMaldives, @WHO, or @presidencymv clarify the rationale behind this change?
The announcement also comes ahead of a crucial parliamentary by-election in Addu next week. Given that Addu is the Home Minister’s constituency and that he has suffered consecutive electoral defeats there, questions will inevitably be asked about whether this sudden shift in tobacco policy is intended to influence the outcome of the election.