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Maldives Airport Smoking Areas

By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

You can smoke at Malé Velana International Airport (MLE) in the designated airside smoking room near duty-free or in the outdoor smoking areas landside by the main exit and on the domestic side. The rest of the terminal is smoke-free, and e-cigarettes are illegal to bring into, possess or use anywhere in the country.

For international travel through the Maldives, Velana (MLE) on Hulhulé island is the main gateway — nearly every visitor passes through it on the way to a resort transfer.

How Maldivian Airport Smoking Works

The Tobacco Control Act (Law 15/2010) bans smoking in enclosed public places, including airport terminals, and permits designated smoking areas:

  • Smoking room airside at Velana, in international departures — travellers describe it on the first floor near the duty-free shops
  • Smoking is also at designated outdoor areas landside — by the main exit, the arrivals side and the domestic side
  • The general terminal, check-in halls and gate areas are smoke-free
  • Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned nationwide since late 2024 — import, sale, possession and use, tourists included; devices can be confiscated on arrival
  • Since November 2025 the Maldives runs the world’s first generational tobacco ban — no tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2007, tourists included

The Hub

Velana International Airport (MLE). The Maldives’ main gateway on Hulhulé island, handling around 7 million passengers a year, almost all connecting onward to resorts by seaplane or speedboat. International Terminal 1 opened in phases from July 2025. Malé Velana’s smoking areas cover both sides of security: a smoking room in international departures, which travellers describe on the first floor near duty-free, plus designated outdoor areas by the main exit and on the domestic/seaplane side for landside and transfer waits.

Tips for Smokers at Maldivian Airports

  • Leave the vape at home — e-cigarettes are illegal throughout the Maldives and can be confiscated on arrival
  • Velana keeps an airside smoking room near duty-free — you can smoke during a transfer wait without exiting security
  • Follow Terminal 1 signage or ask the information desk for the current smoking-area location
  • Smoke before your seaplane or speedboat leg — smoking is not permitted on transfer aircraft or boats
  • Adult visitors may bring a personal allowance of cigarettes; buying tobacco locally is impossible for anyone born on or after 1 January 2007

Maldives Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

AirportAfter securityIndoor roomOutdoor area
Velana International Airport (MLE)YesYesYes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Velana International Airport (MLE)?

Yes — Malé Velana keeps a smoking room airside in international departures, which travellers describe on the first floor near the duty-free shops, so transfer passengers can smoke without leaving the secure area. Designated outdoor areas by the main exit and on the domestic side cover landside smoking.

Is there a smoking area after security at Malé Airport?

Yes — travellers describe a smoking room on the first floor of the international departure area, near the duty-free shops. Follow the terminal signage or ask the information desk for the current location.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Maldivian airports?

Use the airport’s smoking room and outdoor areas for cigarettes instead — vapes and e-cigarettes are banned throughout the Maldives: the import, sale, possession and use of them became illegal nationwide in late 2024, and the ban applies to tourists. Devices can be confiscated when you arrive at Velana Airport; leave all vaping equipment at home.

Where can I smoke at Malé Velana Airport?

Airside at the smoking room in international departures, which travellers describe on the first floor near duty-free, and landside at the designated outdoor areas by the main terminal exit, the arrivals side and the domestic side. The rest of the terminal is smoke-free.

What is the Maldives' airport smoking law?

The Tobacco Control Act (Law 15/2010) bans smoking in enclosed public places, including airport terminals, and permits designated smoking areas — the mechanism behind Velana’s airside smoking room and outdoor spots. Since November 2025 the Maldives also runs the world’s first generational tobacco ban: no tobacco can be sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2007, tourists included.