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
- 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. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 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.
- Adults survey: STEPS Survey, 2020-21; National, ages 15-69 World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- Adults survey: STEPS Survey, 2020-21; National, ages 15-69
Product promotion
- 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
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Maldives. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/maldives/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
- 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
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Maldives. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/maldives/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
- 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
- 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.
Publications
Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Burning Issue for Asia
Harry Shapiro
The focus of this GSTHR briefing is Asia. Sixty per cent of the world’s smokers live in this region and almost half the global deaths from smoking occur here. Asia is also home to nine in every ten users of smokeless tobacco (SLT), leading to high rates of oral cancer. In a number of countries, public health is severely undermined where governments either control or have a significant stake in domestic tobacco companies. New solutions are needed to tackle the public health threat from smoking and tobacco use - but safer nicotine products are banned in many countries. Would tobacco harm reduction improve public health in Asia? And if so - what are the obstacles that stand in its way?
The formal launch event for the briefing took place online on Sunday 18 April 2021 and was co-hosted with Association of Vapers India.
