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32.3% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 138,693 current smokers in Maldives

47.2% of men are current smokers but only 2.9% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Maldives
Country profile
Data sourced: 2022.   Page updated: 2023-10-10

Smoking in Maldives

Current smoking trends for the overall adult population in the Maldives show a decrease from 2000 (37%) to 2015 (29%), with a projection to decrease further to 25.5% by 2025. For women there has been a downwards year by year trend in smoking prevalence, from 9% in 2000 to 2% in 2015, and is projected to be around 1% by 2025. For men the trend has also been downwards, but from a much higher starting point, with 66% being current smokers in 2000, 56% in 2015 and a projection of around 51% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.

172

Deaths

172 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Maldives.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Maldives

E-cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products under the Tobacco Control Act (Law 15/2010). The Act requires products introduced to the Maldivian market to obtain authorisation from the Ministry of Health. Sale to minors under 18 years is prohibited, as is sale via vending machines, post, internet or automated service. All types of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes are banned, and vaping is prohibited where smoking is banned. Act No. 31/79 (Export Import Act of Maldives) requires that 200% of the cost, insurance and freight value of tobacco products and articles used in the consumption of tobacco products are applied at importation. Also, a 6% goods and services tax is applied at sale. However, devices used for vaping are taxed as electronic devices rather than as articles used for the consumption of tobacco products.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Maldives

Heated tobacco products are regulated as tobacco products in line with the Tobacco Control Act (Law 15/2010). The Tobacco Control Act requires tobacco products not previously sold in the Maldives or introduced to the Maldivian market to obtain approval from the Health Ministry. Sale to minors under 18 years is prohibited. For this reason, sales where age cannot be verified prior to sale, such as via vending machines, post, internet or automated service, are banned. All tobacco products imported, manufactured or sold have to carry health warnings covering a minimum of 30% of the front and back of the package. There are five approved messages and these have to be rotated periodically. Health warnings are also required in venues selling tobacco products, as well as in designated smoking areas in restaurants. All forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship are prohibited. Use of heated tobacco products is prohibited wherever smoking is banned. In accordance with Act No. 31/79 (Export Import Act of Maldives), 200% of the cost, insurance and freight value of tobacco products (other than cigarettes), and articles used in the consumption of tobacco products, are levied at the time of importation. A 6% goods and services tax is also applied at the point of sale. However, the hardware used in the consumption of heated tobacco products is taxed as an electronic device, not as an article used for consumption of tobacco products.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Maldives

In Maldives you need a prescription to purchase NRT. Advertising of NRT is allowed. You can buy NRT in Pharmacy.

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.