Born after 2007? It’s now illegal for you to smoke or vape in the Maldives – even as a tourist

The Maldives is a holiday destination you’ll find on a lot of bucket lists because of its pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and marine biodiversity. In some ways, its natural beauty makes it unique as a tourist hub. It’s also unique in that it is the first and only country to introduce a smoking ban for people born on or after January 1, 2007. The ban applies not just to citizens and residents, but also to visitors.

This means that, unlike most countries, which ban the sale of tobacco to people under a certain age, the Maldives is banning the sale of tobacco to an entire generation. Selling tobacco products to anyone born after the cut-off will now carry a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa (£2,465), while using a vape device will carry a fine of 5,000 rufiyaa (£246). Retailers will be required to verify a person’s age before selling them any form of tobacco product.

In a press release, the Maldivian health ministry described the ban as a “historic milestone in the nation’s efforts to protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation”. It said the law “reflects the government’s strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco”.

While the law might make some young visitors think twice about visiting, Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the archipelago’s tobacco control board, says he doesn’t think the ban will hurt tourism to the country.

“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.” According to him, there have been no tourist cancellations, and that the number of visitors has actually increased over the past year. The country predicts there will be more than two million tourists over the next year.

This follows a decision in 2024 for the Maldives to ban the import, sale, use, possession and distribution of electronic cigarettes and vape devices. In the UK, a similar proposal by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is going through the legislative process.

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