Profile
Maldives Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Maldives Background
Profile
Maldives Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2023.   Page updated: 2025-06-19

In 2021, the Maldives had an estimated 16,300 current users of traditional smokeless tobacco, corresponding to an adult prevalence rate of 3.8%. its use among females was slightly higher at 4.2%, compared to 3.4% among males. Its daily use was reported by 3.3% of adults, including 3.9% of females and 2.8% of males. Traditional smokeless tobacco is legal in the Maldives and is regulated as a tobacco product. It is thus legal to sell and use these products, but online purchases are not allowed. The country enforces a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising and requires health warnings on packaging. Also, the minimum age for sale is 18 years.

Prevalence

References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-mdv.pdf?sfvrsn=8ccd19c3_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: STEPS Survey, 2020-21; National, ages 15-69

Product promotion

References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-mdv.pdf?sfvrsn=8ccd19c3_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.

Regulation

References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Maldives. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/maldives/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
  2. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-mdv.pdf?sfvrsn=8ccd19c3_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.

Availability

References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Maldives. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/maldives/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
  2. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-mdv.pdf?sfvrsn=8ccd19c3_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.

Regulations and restrictions

References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-mdv.pdf?sfvrsn=8ccd19c3_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.