Maldives

The Maldives became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

The law prohibits smoking in most workplaces and public places. The law permits smoking in designated smoking areas in non-air-conditioned teashops, restaurants, cafés and other food and beverage outlets. The law prohibits smoking in public transport vehicles or vessels and public transport facilities.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

The law prohibits most forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products. However, the law permits product display so long as it cannot be seen from outside the point of sale and some forms of brand stretching and reverse brand stretching. All forms of tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

The law requires a pictorial health warning covering 90 percent of the front and back or largest two sides of the pack. The law notes that where more than one warning for that product is required, the warning should be rotated once every 12 months. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “mild” and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law requires that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities and the public information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco that contains fewer than 30 grams. However, there are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products via vending machines, the internet or based on location. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Enacted in 2010, the Tobacco Control Act (Act No. 15/2010) is the primary piece of legislation on tobacco control. This Act regulates import, export, wholesale, and retail sale of tobacco products; packaging and labeling of tobacco products; a framework for taxation of tobacco products; smoke free places; health education; and provision of cessation resources.

The Regulations for Designating Tobacco Consumption Prohibited Places provide further details on smoke free places.

Regulation 2019/R158 on the Packaging and Labeling of Tobacco Products sets out the requirements for packaging and labeling, with further details and illustrations of health warnings provided in the Design and Layout Requirements for Health Warnings Under Regulation 2019/R158 on the “Packaging and Labelling of Tobacco Products.”

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts reviewed our analysis.