The Maldives has brought in a ban on smoking for all young people born on or after 1 January 2007.
The measure makes it the only country with a generation-wide tobacco prohibition.
The new law also applies to tourists holidaying in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The country already has strict rules around bringing electronic cigarettes into the country.
Here’s what travellers need to know about lighting up in the Maldives.
Maldives bans smoking for young people
The smoking ban was introduced on 1 November, meaning it is now illegal for those under the age limit to buy or sell tobacco in the Maldives.
The country’s health ministry called the measure a “historic milestone in the nation’s efforts to protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation.”
It added that the prohibition “reflects the government’s strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco.”
Tourists are also subject to the new law, which has made selling tobacco products to an underage person an offence punishable with a fine of up to 50,000 rufiyaa (€2,817).
Retailers are now required to check a customer’s age before a sale.
Tourists caught vaping risk a nearly €300 fine
The new law also means young people face a fine of 5,000 rufiyaa (€282) for using vapes.
Even before the measure, visitors had to abide by strict rules governing electronic cigarettes.
In 2024, the Maldives banned the import, sale, use, possession or distribution of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices for all individuals regardless of age.
This means visitors cannot bring vapes into the country, even for personal use. If you arrive with a device, you will not be penalised or denied entry, but it will be confiscated at the border and a customs officer will provide you with a receipt which you must present when you depart the country to have your items returned to you.
For tobacco products, only travellers on a tourist visa are permitted to import limited quantities as follows: up to 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.
Quantities exceeding these limits will be confiscated and kept by customs for a maximum of 30 days. Tourists can collect these items at the departure terminal at Velana International Airport customs prior to their departure.
Ministry says ban won’t put off tourists
Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the South Asian country’s tobacco control board, said he does not believe the new law will put tourists off visiting the region of nearly 1,200 coral islands, marine wonderlands and luxury resorts.
“People don’t come to the Maldives because they’re able to smoke,” he said. “They come for the beaches, they come for the sea, they come for the sun, and they come for the fresh air.”
He added that the ban had not prompted any international visitors to cancel bookings, and that the number of tourists had risen over the past year.
“We’re projecting more than two million [tourists] in the next year,” he said.