November 3, 2025, 11:31 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Anyone born in 2007 or later will no longer be allowed to smoke, sell, or buy tobacco products in the Maldives. With this drastic measure, the island nation is taking a globally unique step.
Law Bans Tobacco for Those Born After 2006
According to a report by BILD (also part of Axel Springer), the Maldives’ Ministry of Health announced that it will be prohibited for “persons born on or after January 1, 2007,” to “purchase, consume, or sell tobacco products” throughout the island nation.
According to its own statements, the country is the first in the world to introduce such a smoking ban for a so-called “tobacco-free generation.” “The ban applies to all forms of tobacco,” emphasized the Ministry of Health.
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Severe Penalties for Violations
Retailers in the Maldives are required to check the age of customers before every sale. Violations will result in severe penalties. Anyone selling tobacco to individuals below the age limit faces a fine of 50,000 Rufiyaa—about 2,800 euros. Additionally, the use of e-cigarettes remains prohibited. Violators of this ban face a penalty of 5,000 Rufiyaa, approximately 280 euros.
Smoke-Free Paradise in the Indian Ocean
The Maldives is one of the most sought-after luxury travel destinations worldwide. White sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and exclusive resorts attract hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Now, with the new law, the island nation aims to set health policy standards as well. The new regulation applies not only to the island nation’s population but also explicitly to tourists. They must also adhere to the smoking ban if they were born on or after January 1, 2007.