No country has a complete ban on all smoking, but many nations like Bhutan, Ireland, New Zealand, Uruguay, Singapore, Thailand, and Canada have very strict laws, banning it in all public indoor spaces, workplaces, transport, and even some outdoor areas, with Bhutan having near-total bans on tobacco sales. Other countries, including the UK, Australia, France, and many EU nations, have extensive bans in enclosed public places, while some, like the Maldives, are implementing generational bans.
Smoking in all public places in Bhutan became illegal on 22 February 2005. It thus became the first nation in the world to outlaw this practice outright. The Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan was enacted by parliament on 16 June 2010.
Smoking is legal in Dubai, but there are some strict rules on tobacco consumption, as the government aims to create a safe environment for everyone. In particular, you can't smoke in public places, from malls to offices and parks. The fine is now 500 AED which is around $140.
Sweden makes history this October as the first country to achieve 'smoke-free' status. Haypp speaks to the Swedish economist who calculated this achievement, who explains how nicotine alternatives like snus and nicotine pouches made this public health milestone possible.
On 6 September 2001, New South Wales banned smoking in enclosed public areas, except for bars and licensed premises. The Government introduced a total "enclosed space" ban in New South Wales on 1 July 2007.
Since 2004, countries including Norway, New Zealand, Uruguay, Malta, Italy, Sweden, Scotland, Bhutan, Lithuania, and the British Virgin Islands have gone smoke-free, protecting the health of millions by banning smoking in public places.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia, with two in three long-term Australian smokers dying prematurely. Smoking causes many types of cancer, heart disease and stroke, chest and lung illnesses and stomach ulcers.
10 Countries With the Highest Smoking Rates, Nauru Tops the List
In Germany, smoking is widespread and is subject to very few and lax regulations compared to other European countries. Tobacco taxes in Germany are among the lowest in Europe. Germany ranks last on the Tobacco Control Scale and has sometimes been referred to as the "smoker's paradise" of Europe.
HealthDay News — The Maldives has become the first country in the world to ban tobacco use for an entire generation, after a new law took effect Saturday.
You can smoke outside the terminal buildings in the designated zones which are clearly marked. There's no smoking once you've passed through security and there are no smoking facilities for passengers connecting from an international to international flight.
On average, most cigarette packs cost around AED 18, but there are brands that cost more than that. Cheaper cigarette brands in the UAE include Pine, Bone, 007 and Three Stars, while Malboro and Davidoff are popular expensive brands in the country.
It is prohibited to use a mobile phone, put on make-up, and smoke while driving. Driver must not eat or drink while operating a car. The cars entering a roundabout must yield to the traffic already in the roundabout, unless otherwise indicated on the relevant road signs.
Germany and Austria in Europe along with Asian countries like Japan and Indonesia plus destinations in the Middle East and Caribbean maintain more lenient smoking rules.
In recent years, the government has implemented increasingly strict tobacco control measures, culminating in the world's first generational smoking ban, which took effect in November 2025.
Smoking in public places is prohibited and is a punishable offence. Direct/Indirect advertisements of tobacco products including sponsorship and promotion are prohibited and is a punishable offence. Sale of tobacco products to and by minors (less than 18 years of age) is prohibited and is a punishable offence.
While several people smoke heavily, Post Malone is a prominent figure who admitted smoking up to 80 cigarettes in a single day, averaging around 40-45 daily, though reports vary slightly on his exact figures, highlighting a severe smoking habit. Other individuals, like a man from Beccles, UK, also smoked that much (80/day) for decades before quitting, demonstrating that such extreme consumption occurs outside of celebrity cases, often leading to severe health issues.
Countries where you can smoke in bars and restaurants
You generally cannot smoke in most enclosed public spaces, public transport, and many outdoor areas like near entrances, playgrounds, or beaches, but it depends heavily on local laws, with most places allowing smoking in designated areas or open spaces not covered by bans, often with specific distance rules (like 4-10 meters from entrances/playgrounds) to protect others from secondhand smoke.
Countries with the Highest Smoking Rates 🌍🔥 Tobacco use remains a major global health issue, causing 8+ million deaths annually. The highest smoking rates are found in Southeast Asia & the Balkans, with Nauru (48.3%), Myanmar (44.4%), and Kiribati (39.7%) leading the list.
Sweden boasts one of the lowest smoking rates in Europe and is the first country to be considered 'smoke-free'. With just 4.5% of its adult population reporting that they smoke cigarettes daily3, Sweden is 17 years ahead of the EU's target. This is significantly lower than the UK's 10.6% smoking prevalence4.
Heavy smokers (those who smoke ⩾25 or more cigarettes a day) are a subgroup who place themselves and others at risk for harmful health consequences and also are those least likely to achieve cessation. Despite this, heavy smokers are not well described as a segment of the smoking population. Methods.
Queensland named nation's smoking capital. The RACGP is urging patients to reach out to their GP for support to quit, with the state now home to the most daily smokers in Australia. Adults are most likely to smoke in Queensland, according to newly released data.
Aniston quit smoking through a combination of methods, including yoga, meditation, exercise, and lifestyle changes. She adopted a holistic approach that addressed both the physical and psychological aspects of nicotine addiction.
The use of bush tobacco varies across regions but seems to be most common within Aboriginal populations in the central desert regions of Australia. Traditionally a mixture is made using dried leaf and stem with ash, and moistened with saliva (called a quid).