Smoking in the Maldives

Smoking in the Maldives has long been part of Maldivian culture, but it has also posed significant public health challenges for the island nation. Tobacco use in the Maldives shows marked gender disparity: as of 2022, an estimated 43.6% of Maldivian men and 3.7% of women aged 15 and above were smokers. Smoking-related illnesses account for about 12.8% of annual deaths nationwide.

In recent years, the government has implemented increasingly strict tobacco control measures, culminating in the world's first generational smoking ban, which took effect in November 2025. Under this law, individuals born on or after January 1, 2007, including tourists, are prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or using tobacco or vaping products.

The Tobacco Control Act and subsequent amendments now regulate not only tobacco sales but also the import, distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes, with penalties of up to Rf. 50,000 for businesses and Rf. 5,000 for individuals violating vape restrictions. These efforts align with the Maldives’ obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Despite the tough stance against tobacco, surveys indicate that about 26.6% of individuals 15 and older were smokers in 2022, and youth smoking and vaping remain major concerns.