The general regulation on tobacco control has been gazetted, including stringent rules such as prohibiting smoking on boats traveling to the capital Malé City and criminalizing the placement of ashtrays in designated no-smoking areas.

The regulation, which was made public on February 12, includes 70 main articles.

While smoking is prohibited in many places, according to the regulation, public vehicles and places are included among the prohibited areas. As such, smoking has been declared prohibited on all public transport vehicles and sea vessels. In addition to this, smoking is not allowed in parking areas for land vehicles and docking areas for sea vessels.

Placing an ashtray in a no-smoking area is considered an offense under the regulation, and it is stated that this will be viewed as promoting smoking.

Further, placing any tobacco products in a no-smoking area is also an offense.

The regulation also states that if there is ever a question about whether smoking is allowed in a particular place, the decision will be made prioritizing the rights of non-smokers.

Under this regulation, it is an offense to sell tobacco products to a person or child under 21 years of age. If there are any doubts about a person’s age, tobacco products should only be sold upon presentation of an ID card, license, or an official document showing the date of birth, and the seller will be held responsible for this, according to the regulation.

The regulation also states that tobacco products should not be sold or purchased through machines, postal services, letters, or the internet.

The regulation stipulates that for the first violation, there will be a fine of MVR 1,000, for the second violation MVR 2,000, and for the third violation MVR 3,000.

For institutions and businesses, the fines start at MVR 3,000.

If a child under 18 is fined, the child's guardian will have to pay the fine.

Those engaged in illegal tobacco trade will be fined 10 times the value of the goods, according to the regulation.

The regulation also states that permission will not be granted to import empty tubes, pipes, or empty packets used for producing tobacco products, cigarettes, or beedis, or any other equipment and machines used for commercial production of tobacco products.