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.
Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in the Maldives are well below these recommendations.
| SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
|---|---|
|
Health-care facilities
Yes
|
Private offices
No
|
|
Primary and secondary schools
Yes
|
Public transport
Yes
|
|
Universities
Yes
|
Restaurants
No
|
|
Governmental facilities
Yes
|
Bars and Pubs
No
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
No
|
|
| BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|
|
Domestic TV and radio
Yes
|
Promotional discounts
Yes
|
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
Yes
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising
Yes
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters)
Yes
|
Paid placement in media
Yes
|
|
Retail product display
No
|
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility
Yes
|
|
Internet advertising
Yes
|
Publicity of sponsorships
Yes
|
|
Free distribution
Yes
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
1
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Uncertain
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
90%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
90%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
90%
|
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products
Yes
|
| TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE | |
|---|---|
| PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES | TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE) |
|
In country currency
100.00
MVR
|
Total taxes
66%
|
|
In US dollars
6.49
USD
|
Total excise
0%
|
Sources:
SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org
Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2021. Available at: www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/
Last updated: August 2, 2022