Maldives Gets Tough on Smoking: Strict Rules and Hefty Fines in Place

The Maldives government has enacted a comprehensive regulation to tighten tobacco control, prohibiting smoking in numerous public spaces and allowing designated smoking areas only in seven specific locations (airports, ports, malls, tea shops/cafes/restaurants, state-run detention centers, industrial workplaces, open areas in disaster camps, and open areas in government institutions). Establishment requires written authorization from the Ministry of Health and a fee of MVR 10,000. Penalties for businesses include fines (MVR 3,000 for first offense, MVR 5,000 for second, doubling for subsequent) and license suspension from the third violation. The regulation aligns with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the Maldives joined on February 27, 2005, and complements previous measures like 90% pictorial warnings and a vaping ban effective December 15, 2024.

The Maldives government has enacted a comprehensive regulation to tighten tobacco control, prohibiting smoking in numerous public spaces and allowing designated smoking areas only in seven specific locations (airports, ports, malls, tea shops/cafes/restaurants, state-run detention centers, industrial workplaces, open areas in disaster camps, and open areas in government institutions). Establishment requires written authorization from the Ministry of Health and a fee of MVR 10,000. Penalties for businesses include fines (MVR 3,000 for first offense, MVR 5,000 for second, doubling for subsequent) and license suspension from the third violation. The regulation aligns with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the Maldives joined on February 27, 2005, and complements previous measures like 90% pictorial warnings and a vaping ban effective December 15, 2024.

The Maldives government has enacted a comprehensive regulation to tighten tobacco control, prohibiting smoking in numerous public spaces and allowing designated smoking areas only in seven specific locations (airports, ports, malls, tea shops/cafes/restaurants, state-run detention centers, industrial workplaces, open areas in disaster camps, and open areas in government institutions). Establishment requires written authorization from the Ministry of Health and a fee of MVR 10,000. Penalties for businesses include fines (MVR 3,000 for first offense, MVR 5,000 for second, doubling for subsequent) and license suspension from the third violation. The regulation aligns with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the Maldives joined on February 27, 2005, and complements previous measures like 90% pictorial warnings and a vaping ban effective December 15, 2024.

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