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The Maldives has implemented one of the strictest anti-smoking policies in the world — for both residents and tourists — and it may have a significant impact on how travellers plan their vacation. As of November 1, 2025, anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, is prohibited from buying, using or possessing tobacco products in the country, according to the President’s Office presidency.gov.mv (Maldives). The introduced policy targets to provide a “smoke-free generation” and an enormous drop in the health burden from smoking-related diseases, say the national authorities. Tourists are informed that the new legislation also applies to them and that it is already setting up restrictions on the import of alcohol and vaping. The local government of the Maldives sees it as a “historic milestone … to protect young people from the harms of tobacco” and a step closer to achieving the bigger public health goal, as reported by The Times of India. What The New Law Means for Visitors In an effort to improve public health and reduce the incidence of smoking-related diseases while at the same time protecting the younger generation, the Maldivian government announced in November 2025 the introduction of a generational smoking ban. The prohibition also applies to visitors to the island state. This implies that individuals born on or after January 1, 2007, will not be allowed to buy or use any kind of tobacco product in this country. Although smoking is technically forbidden in many public areas, including workplaces, movie theatres, restaurants, cafes and public transportation, older visitors (born before that cut-off) may still buy cigarettes. Strict control of e-cigarettes and vaping is another measure. In 2024, the country outlawed the import, sale, use, possession and distribution of e-cigarettes for people of all ages. Penalties and Enforcement Tobacco sales to the group are prohibited in stores, resorts and duty-free shops at airports; violations may result in fines or item seizure. Non-compliance carries severe penalties. Retailers, including resort duty-free stores, are subject to fines of up to MVR 50,000 (about Rs 2.87 lakh) if they are found to be selling to a person born on or after 2007. Vaping equipment and e-cigarettes can be confiscated at the airport, and travellers who carry them risk fines of up to MVR 5,000 (about Rs 28,780). Although early enforcement is anticipated to focus more on sales and imports than personal use, smoking outside designated outdoor zones on local islands may result in fines (for example, around MVR 500 or approximately Rs 2,880 in some instances. Benefits and Travel Implications In terms of public health, the Maldives is working to produce a “smoke-free generation” by lowering the prevalence of diseases linked to smoking and establishing itself as a destination that promotes well-being. This could result in a cleaner, more comfortable vacation setting with reduced background smoke for non-smokers. It could be necessary for smokers, particularly younger visitors, to reconsider: no vaping, no purchasing tobacco and no smoking in common public areas. Compared to upscale resorts, local island lodgings typically have stricter smoking regulations—small outside areas or none at all.
