The new law applies to both residents and tourists, making the Maldives the first country in the world to ban smoking for an entire generation
The Maldives has become the first nation in the world to introduce a generational smoking ban, prohibiting anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, from buying or using tobacco products. The rule applies to both locals and visitors.
As of November 1, it is illegal for individuals under that age to purchase, sell, or consume tobacco. The Ministry of Health described the move as a “historic milestone in protecting public health and creating a smoke-free generation.”
Selling tobacco to minors is punishable by fines of up to €2,800, while young people caught using e-cigarettes face penalties of around €280. Retailers are now required to verify customers’ ages.
Strict Vape Rules
The Maldives had already banned the import, sale, and use of e-cigarettes in 2024. Tourists are not allowed to bring vapes into the country, even for personal use — devices are confiscated at customs and returned only upon departure.
Visitors may bring limited amounts of traditional tobacco — up to 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. Any excess is seized and stored for up to 30 days.
Officials say the ban will not deter tourists:
“People don’t come to the Maldives to smoke. They come for the beaches, the sea, the sun, and the clean air,” said a representative of the Tobacco Control Council. The number of visitors continues to rise, with over 2 million tourists expected next year.