Overview
- The ban took effect on November 1, 2025 and permanently applies to all tobacco products for those born on or after January 1, 2007.
- Retailers are required to verify age before any sale, with a 50,000 rufiyaa (about $3,200) fine for selling to someone below the cutoff.
- E‑cigarettes and vapes are already outlawed nationwide for all ages, and using a device can draw a 5,000 rufiyaa (about $320) penalty.
- Officials describe the policy as a step toward a tobacco‑free generation, while local reporting highlights smuggled cigarettes and vapes being sold openly, including on social media.
- New Zealand repealed a comparable generational law in 2023 and UK plans stalled, as Maldivian tobacco‑control leaders say tourism should remain strong despite the new rules.