A BAN has been placed on tobacco on a popular island to stop people of a certain age from ever buying it.
Called a ‘generational ban’ it means that anyone born after January 1, 2007 is prohibited from buying or using tobacco.
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The Maldives is attempting to stamp out smoking for good by implementing a generational banCredit: AlamyThe Maldives is hugely popular and full of luxury hotelsCredit: Alamy
The destination that’s implemented the new rules is the Maldives, and it’s the only place in the world to have done so.
The measure makes it the only country with a generation-wide tobacco prohibition in an effort to promote a ‘tobacco-free generation’.
The ministry said: “Under the new provision, individuals born on or after 1 January 2007 are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives.
“The ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale.”
The health ministry called the measure a “historic milestone in the nation’s efforts to protect public health”.
It added that the prohibition “reflects the government’s strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco”.
The measure is not just for locals, it applies to any tourists visiting the islands.
So for Brits heading to the Maldives, you might find yourself being asked for ID in shops if buying tobacco.
Selling cigarettes to minors will carry a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa (£2,470) for the sellers.
Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the archipelago’s tobacco control board, told the BBC that he didn’t expect bookings to reduce due to the ban.
Shop owners will face a huge fine if caught selling cigarettes to minorsCredit: Alamy
He said: “People don’t come to the Maldives because they’re able to smoke.
“They come for the beaches, they come for the sea, they come for the sun, and they come for the fresh air”.
And then added that the Maldives was projecting more than two million tourists in the next year making it one of the world’s most popular destinations.
The banning of tobacco is a new rule, but the Maldives also banned the import, possession and use of vapes last year.
Electronic cigarettes and vapes are completely banned no matter what age you are – and you aren’t allowed to bring them into the country.
You won’t be denied entry if caught bringing one into the country, but it will be confiscated at the border and a customs officer will provide you with a receipt which you must present when you depart the country to have your items returned to you.
Anyone caught vaping in the Maldives will face a 5,000-rufiyaa fine (£247).
These measures apply to all of coral islands in the Maldives, of which there are over a thousand.
THE resort town of San Sebastián on the Bay of Biscay is known for its beautiful beaches, and is making plans to keep it that way.
San Sebastián’s city council has announced that it wants to put new rules in place to conserve its famous coast.
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San Sebastián has three very popular beaches and the new rules are to keep them cleanCredit: AlamyDuring the summer, the pretty beaches of San Sebastián can get very busyCredit: Alamy
The first rule is a smoking ban across all its beaches, something that is becoming more common in Spain.
If it goes ahead, San Sebastián will become the second town in the Basque region to fully ban smoking on its beaches after Zarautz.
Beaches in San Sebastián could also have new rules when it comes to pets.
During the summer, dogs will only be allowed to walk on the beaches from 9pm until midnight.
Previously, locals were able to walk their dogs on public beaches between September 1 and May 30 at any time of the day.
Thanks to a growing number of noise complaints, loudspeakers could be joining the ban list too.
The city is inviting its locals to share their thoughts on the new rules from October 20, with the aim of the new rules being fully implemented by June 2026.
San Sebastián has three main beaches, La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola and last year, Which? named San Sebastián Spain‘s ‘best coastal town’.
It was rated on factors like the quality of the beach and seafront, safety, food and drink, accommodation, and value for money.
An overall score was calculated based on satisfaction and the likeliness to recommend each destination, with places ranked out of 100.
La Concha Bay is popular with locals and tourists thanks to its soft sand and mountain viewsCredit: Alamy
San Sebastián claimed first place with an overall score of 88 per cent out of 100. Factors like its beach, attractiveness and food and drink scene were awarded five stars.
The town’s most famous beach is La Concha, a shell-shaped bay very close to the city’s Old Town, while Ondarreta is generally much quieter with calm waters.
Zurriola on the other hand is known for having stronger waves – which makes it a popular spot for watersports.
“As I enjoy views from the open-air bar on San Sebastian’sMonte Urgull hill, I can see the wild Bay of Biscay on one wise, and on the other, a panoramic view of the city and its shell-shaped beach.
“If you want to get out and about, there is so much to keep you entertained in San Sebastian, from surfing on Zurriola beach to enjoying the viewpoints at Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo.
“A charming funicular railway comes in handy if you don’t fancy hiking up the latter. But the best activity is devouring yet more food in the Old Town, savouring the city’s famous “pintxos” scene.
“Pronounced “pinchos”, and most easily described as the Basque version of tapas, these elaborate, bite-sized treats are around €2.50 a pop and found in every bar.
“And regardless of how full you get, no visit to the Old Town is complete without stopping by La Viña, the restaurant where the now-viral Basque burnt cheesecake originated.”
Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes under the Spanish govenrment’s new proposals
The Spanish government wants to ban smoking in public spaces(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Smoking and vaping could soon be banned in restaurant terraces and on beaches in Spain.
The Spanish government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban locals and holidaymakers alike from having a puff on bar and restaurant terraces, as well as on beaches. The law would also prohibit minors from using vapes and related products, and end the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes.
The legislation was signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday morning. The bill still needs to be approved by parliament and could be amended. There is no indication yet of when these measures might come in.
Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes.
This could become a thing of the past(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Their use would all be banned in enclosed public spaces, as well as in outdoor areas such as bar terraces, stadiums, sports centres, children’s play areas, bus stops and educational facilities.
The health minister, Mónica García Gómez, said the draft law was intended to put Spain “back at the forefront of the fight against tobacco”. Smoking inside bars and restaurants in Spain was banned back in 2010, but since then, progress has been slow.
According to the Global Action to End Smoking report, 24.9% of the population used tobacco in some way in 2022, with higher rates of (27.5%) among men. In contrast, 11% of Brits smoke.
Ms Gómez added: “We know that tobacco claims the lives of 140 people a day in our country, which is 50,000 people a year. I also want to stress that 30% of cancer tumours are linked to the factors that come from tobacco use … We know that the reality has changed when it comes to tobacco and that there are new devices, such as vapes and tobacco-heating devices and nicotine pouches – and this law, for the first time, will regulate all these tobacco-related products, and it will regulate them in a clear and forceful way based on the scientific evidence.”
Holidaymakers looking to pick up some cheap cigarettes are in luck. There is no plan to hike prices in a country where a pack of 20 cigarettes costs less than €6 (£5.20).
Spain’s approach mirrors recent action taken by France in July. It is now illegal to smoke in outdoor places, including beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops and sports venues in France. The legislation, however, excludes café and bar terraces and electronic cigarettes from its restrictions.
Absent from Spain’s cabinet-approved proposal are any requirements for plain packaging on tobacco products. This is a measure that has been adopted by 25 nations, including the UK, according to World Health Organisation data.
SACRAMENTO — Legislation to eliminate student smoking areas on public high school campuses gained final legislative passage Wednesday night and was sent to Gov. George Deukmejian.
The Assembly voted 51 to 22 for the bill, providing 10 more votes than the simple majority required. A spokesman for Deukmejian said that the governor had not yet taken a position on the measure, which passed the Senate on Aug. 14.
Under the bill–which reverses an 8-year-old state policy that seeks to accommodate and control student smokers–pupils found to be possessing tobacco products at school would be subject to suspension or expulsion. Tobacco also would be prohibited at school-sponsored events.
Proponents of the measure said that providing smoking areas on campus makes a mockery of an existing state law making it illegal to sell or give tobacco products to minors.
“It’s sheer, utter hypocrisy that this bill is trying to correct,” the bill’s author, Assemblyman William J. Filante (R-Greenbrae), said during the floor debate.
Assembly Republican leader Pat Nolan of Glendale said, “We’ve outlawed minors (from) smoking and all this is saying is that (law) will be enforced in public buildings called schools.”
The 1978 law that allows school districts to set up campus smoking areas was adopted mainly to move student smokers from the lavatories and into areas separate from other students.
Filante said when the law was adopted eight years ago, health risks associated with the use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes, were not proven.
“We didn’t know what we know today. We didn’t know how much tobacco is involved with disease,” he said.
Opponents argued that the decision to offer smoking areas should be left to local school districts.
“It’s taking away one of the few local controls a school board has and leaving them defenseless. This is a bad idea,” Thomas M. Hannigan (D-Fairfield) said.
Hannigan contended that students who smoke simply will move back into the lavatories and “to the back of school buses.”
“It’s going to shift the problem to some other area of the school grounds,” he said.
About half of California’s 1,096 school districts allow smoking on campus. None of the 49 high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District permit smoking on campus.
The bill was backed by the attorney general’s office, the California State School Board, and more than 30 health and education organizations.
Many holiday destinations have serious laws on vaping where travellers could be fined or worse jailed on holiday, warnings have been issued to travellers to ensure they know the rules before they fly
Vaping laws around the world that you must be aware of(Image: Getty Images)
These are the holiday hotspots where vapes can land you in serious trouble. Travellers may be fined, detained or even jailed for taking or using their vapes in these countries. The UK have cracked down on their own vaping laws and these popular holiday destinations also have their own that must be taken seriously.
Experts at Vape Ease UK have warned British travellers to check laws before flying as there are many destinations where travellers could be in for a shock and serious action has been taken on vaping. From Thailand and India’s jail time to Mexico and Singapore bans, tourists have been issued serious warnings. It comes after a flight attendant urges tourists to always leave a shoe in their hotel room safe.
Turkey
More than 4.4 million Brits visited Turkey in the last year and due to its popularity it’s necessary to know the vaping laws. The country bans the sale of vapes, whilst using them is allowed only in certain areas like smoking zones. Travellers can only bring one device, spare pods or refill bottles that are no greater than 30ml in volume or up to 10 disposable vapes per person.
The country bans the sale of vapes(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
You must also be 19 years old to vape in Turkey. According to globaltobaccocontrol.org, e-cigarettes and e-liquids are also classed as tobacco products so all the restrictions applied to smoking also apply to vaping.
India
Vaping in India has been banned since 2019 when they introduced the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) which banned everything to do with electronic nicotine products – production, sales, imports, exports, transport, storage and advertisement. E-cigarettes cover all types: refillable vapes, disposable vapes, heat-not-burn (HnB) products, and E-hookahs.
Travellers can face fines, imprisonment or both if caught doing any of the above. First time offenders who violate the ban could face up to one year in prison, or a fine of £1000 or both. For subsequent offences, this would increase to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of £5000.
Denmark
There are some regulations to vaping in Denmark
Whilst vaping in Denmark is legal there are certain rules and restrictions that apply: such as the age limit of 18 years old where you can purchase and use vapes. Flavoured E-liquids are banned which came into effect in April 2021, only tobacco-flavoured ones are allowed. Vaping is allowed in public places but not in all areas such as on public transport, schools and childcare facilities, and certain indoor spaces like bars and restaurants may have their own policies so you must check.
UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
Vaping is legal in the UAE but must meet the standards set by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA). Like most countries you must be at least 18 to purchase a vape in the UAE. There are designated areas where people can vape. If these rules are not followed then penalties can include a minimum imprisonment of one year for serious offences and a fine ranging from £20 000 to £200 000.
Australia
Australia’s approach to vaping is a medical one as of July 2024, all vaping products can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of assisting those that are trying to quit smoking or manage their nicotine. From March 2024, travellers entering the country can only bring a small quantity of vapes with them. The vapes must only be for the traveller’s treatment or someone they are caring for. The maximum allowed is 2 vapes in total, 20 vape accessories and 200ml of vape substance liquid.
Mexico
The sale of vapes in Mexico is generally banned, and there are certain public places where a vape is not allowed in: Indoor public spaces (bars, restaurants, shops and government buildings), workplaces and public transport. When travelling they advise, to pack it in your checked luggage, carry a small amount of e-liquid and if questioned by customs officials to answer any questions about your vape and its intended use.
Thailand
Thailand have some of the strictest rules overall as e-cigarettes are illegal since 2014. Anyone found breaking this law could be arrested and face jail time of up to 10 years or fined up to £700. Travellers are advised not to bring any e-cigarettes with them or any item associated with them. Travellers should be aware of the ban beforehand as tourists in the past have been arrested before having not known.
Hong Kong
There are some laws in place for vaping in Hong Kong(Image: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Hong Kong state imports, manufacture, and sale of vapes have been banned since 2022 but not the use of it, however laws are set to change by early to mid 2026. Breaking these laws will result in heavy fines of up to £200 000.
Japan
Japan vaping laws are heavily regulated, nicotine e-liquids are classified as medicinal products and travellers can only bring up to 120ml of e-liquid. Non -nicotine vapes are allowed and do not face restrictions. Vaping in public spaces is strictly banned unless in a designated smoking zone. They have strict penalties in place for those who break these rules with heavy fines or imprisonment.
Singapore
Singapore have a zero-tolerance policy with vaping that includes importing, selling or using e-cigarettes as illegal. You can face fines of up to £2300, legal trouble and confiscations at customs if seen with a vape.
A spokesperson from Vape Ease UK warned travellers that the “last thing anyone wants is to be detained or fined on holiday. In places like Thailand and Hong Kong, the laws are shockingly strict. When in doubt – leave your vape behind.” It is not worth the risk bringing your vape on holiday.
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TUI passengers on a flight home from Mexico faced chaos after a couple on board the plane started smoking in the toilet and then began fighting
TUI’s Cancun to Gatwick flight was forced into an emergency landing due to the smokers(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
British holidaymakers returning from a sun-soaked break in Cancun, Mexico, found themselves unexpectedly stranded in the considerably chillier US state of Maine, after two passengers on their flight refused to quit smoking and sparked a brawl.
The pilot of the TUI transatlantic flight bound for London Gatwick was compelled to make an emergency landing on Tuesday, following the discovery of two passengers “smoking in the toilet.”
Despite UK airlines having enforced a smoking ban for the past thirty years, the duo stubbornly continued to light up, even when the pilot threatened to land the plane if they persisted.
Irate passengers aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight informed the New York Post that the unidentified smokers seemed to be a couple, whose in-flight chaos subsequently spiralled into a fight. “They were obviously drunk, and he basically assaulted his partner,” one fellow passenger revealed.
Cancun’s warm weather and white sands have made it a top tourist destination in Mexico(Image: Getty)
All 267 passengers from Cancun were then subjected to an unplanned stopover in Bangor, Maine. Flight recordings disclose the pilot communicating with air traffic controllers, stating: “Cockpit is secure, and there’s two passengers fighting, and the crew has pretty much gotten them under control.”
Within moments, air traffic controllers had rerouted the flight and by 9.30pm, the TUI flight was grounded in Maine with airport officials escorting the pair of smokers off the aircraft.
The travel chaos only intensified for their fellow passengers, who endured an unplanned overnight stay in Bangor before catching another flight home.
They would be waiting until 3pm on Wednesday to recommence their transatlantic trip, eventually touching down safely at Gatwick later the same day.
The two troublemakers who sparked the chaos dodged any charges by US Customs and Border Protection officials, who resolved to send them back on separate flights.
An official from the border agency commented: “This incident involved a foreign-to-foreign flight that was diverted due to an in-flight altercation between two passengers.
“Upon arrival, CBP officers removed both individuals from the aircraft. Although no criminal charges were filed, CBP processed the two subjects for expedited removal.”
Brits are being warned to check local laws in their holiday destinations before setting off as multiple countries impose strict vape bans that could result in a hefty fine or even prison time
Brits are being warned of vape bans imposed in foreign countries(Image: Getty Images)
As summer holiday season kicks off, British travellers are being urged to double-check vaping laws at their holiday destinations or risk hefty fines, confiscation, or even prison.
While most holidaymakers remember to pack suncream, passports and sunglasses, one everyday item could land you in trouble abroad: your vape. UK-based retailer WizVape has issued a warning for travellers this summer after the UK’s own ban on disposable vapes came into effect on June 1, 2025.
With similar restrictions now appearing across Europe and beyond, vape users could easily be caught out by local laws. “Many travellers are unaware that simply carrying a disposable vape could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even legal trouble abroad,” says Saif Khan, Director at WizVape.
The UK has also imposed a ban on disposable e-cigarettes(Image: PA)
“Whether you’re heading to the beach or the city this summer, it’s essential to check the local laws before you fly.”
In Europe, countries such as France and Belgium have already implemented full bans on disposable vapes.
In Spain, vaping may still be legal, but using your device on beaches in Barcelona or Benidorm could see you slapped with a fine of up to €750 (£650).
Other European nations are planning restrictions too. A disposable vape ban in Germany has passed the Bundesrat but awaits parliamentary approval.
Ireland are also expected to implement a ban by the end of 2025. In Hungary, flavoured e-liquids and popular devices like Elf Bars are already prohibited.
“Make sure you’re using a reusable device and have packed enough refills so you don’t need to purchase a non-UK friendly vape for your return,” adds Khan.
Outside Europe, the risks are even higher. In Thailand, tourists face severe penalties for possession of any vaping device – including large fines or even jail time. Other destinations with complete bans include:
Singapore – fines of up to £1,150 for possession.
Mexico – devices often confiscated at airports.
India, Qatar, Brazil and Argentina – strict bans and penalties in place.
Travellers returning to the UK should also be cautious about bringing disposables home. With the UK’s ban now in place, anyone caught with a single-use vape could have it confiscated at the border.
“Don’t assume what’s legal abroad is legal at home,” Khan warns. “Stay informed and travel smart this summer.”
The plane to London Gatwick from Cancun was diverted almost five hours into the flight
16:01, 10 Jul 2025Updated 20:12, 10 Jul 2025
Passengers spent hours in cramped conditions awaiting news on their flight home
Passengers were left stranded at an airport for over 17 hours a flight was diverted due to a couple apparently smoking onboard. Brit Terry Lawrance, 66, said it was like a “war zone” with passengers camped out on rows of airbeds, after his flight home from Cancun, Mexico, on was grounded.
About an hour after take-off on July 8, the captain of the London Gatwick-bound TUI flight announced two passengers had been smoking in the toilets, and that if it continued, he would have to divert. After another three-and-a-half hours, the captain announced the plane would now be diverting to Bangor International Airport, Maine, US.
They landed at 21.30 local time – and the two alleged smokers were turfed off the flight. But Terry said the other passengers sat in their seats for another five hours and even taxied to take-off, before the flight was abandoned as the original crew were not able to continue to operate the rest of the flight back to Gatwick due to legal working hours.
Consequently, a relief flight was readied immediately, and a new crew were dispatched from the UK to the US to fly everyone back. The passengers were then kept in a room – which Terry claims is part of the military airbase section of the airport – for over 15 hours while the airline works to sort a relief crew.
Terry Lawrance described the conditions as passengers waited for hours
A flight to take passengers home to Gatwick eventually took off at 15:00 local time (20:00 BST) on Wednesday, July 9 – with all passengers now safely home. Videos taken by Terry show rows of beds as passengers awaited updates, whilst another video shows vehicles approaching the plane after touching down in Bangor.
Terry said: “We were there for over 12 hours – it all went pear shaped. Everybody was fed up. In fairness, they started bringing out airbeds, but it was like free-for-all for vultures.
“It was like a warzone in a lounge – rows and rows of beds. All our luggage was still on the plane whilst we waited. TUI told us a relief crew was being sent from the UK because the current crew had used up their hours.”
Terry said it was like a “war zone”
Tracking on Flightradar24 shows the plane turning back towards Maine, shortly after entering Canadian airspace. Terry said: “After an hour the captain came on and said someone had been smoking in the toilet – he read the riot act and said if it continues, we’d have to divert.
“About three hours later, around the border with Canada and he came on to let us know that the plane was being diverted to Bangor, Maine. Once we landed, they removed the two passengers.
“They were obviously drunk. The captain then said we’d be getting going again once the paperwork has been done. We were sat on the plane on the ground for five hours – the plane started taxing again and we thought ‘great’ and then they said there was a problem with flight plan, and we have to get off.
“Next thing, we’re not going anywhere, and we’ve got to stay in this small lounge. We waited six or seven hours before we were offered a drink.”
Gogglebox fan favourite Mary Killen has revealed that she’s become ‘addicted’ to vaping in her 60s, despite having never smoked a cigarette – as she reveals her plans to quit
20:04, 22 Jun 2025Updated 20:04, 22 Jun 2025
Gogglebox’s Mary Killen admits she’s addicted to vaping (Image: Channel 4)
Googlebox fan favourite Mary Killen has revealed she’s become addicted to vaping, despite never having smoked cigarettes.
The star rose to fame in 2015 on Channel 4’s Gogglebox as she and her husband Giles have the nation in hysterics every week as they sit down to watch the latest TV shows.
Despite knowing the ins and outs on their thoughts on the latest episode of Love Island, fans aren’t privvy to much of the Gogglebox stars’ personal life. However, Mary has now opened up about an addiction she just can’t shift – vaping.
Mary, who says she was never interested in cigarettes, revealed that she picked the habit up two years ago, when her friends son, James, 22, offered her a puff of his Juul. “I loved inhaling the odourless air and blowing it out again. It just looked so chic and felt cooling in the palm of the hand,” Mary wrote in her column for MailOnline.
Mary first starting vaping two years ago(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Spe)
James allowed Mary to keep the vape, and she later found herself buying replacement pods when it ran out. “I reasoned that it would be good if I were to appear to have at least one addiction.
“I would be ‘levelling myself down’, so to speak, in a way that could make me more socially acceptable in drinking circles,” she wrote.
However, her habit doesn’t come cheap, as she explained in her column that she “wastes about £14 a week on four Juul replacement pods.” She then questioned how to break the expensive habit, which she also admits self-pitying and argumentative when she runs out.
Mary admitted she’d “probably kill or be killed by my family members,” if she tried to go cold turkey – revealing that she was going to sign up to a course to help people quit vaping.
Mary and Giles rose to fame on Channel 4’s Gogglebox(Image: PA Wire)
It’s not the only revelation Mary has made in her column. Recently, she told viewers about her controversial sleeping arrangements, telling fans she and Giles allowed the dogs on the bed.
Mary and Giles met when they were both 21 years old while Giles was studying at Wimbledon Art School and Mary was working as a model. The pair have been blissfully married for over 30 years, most of which time they have spent living at their cottage in Wiltshire.
The stars share two grownup children who prefer to stay out of the limelight. However, it was actually one of Giles’ daughters that were originally due to appear on the show with her dad before she backed out at the last minute.
After a lengthy phone call to producers, Giles managed to convince Mary to join the show – and the two have become fan favourites ever since their arrival.
Little more is known about Mary and Giles’ daughters however it has been revealed that they are both grown and no longer live at home with their parents.
