There is a common myth that you can’t smoke in Bhutan, but in actuality the rules are probably a lot more relaxed than in much of Europe, America, and much of the Philippines.
This though was far from always the case! And in fact, the rules here on the vice have very much gone up and down and changed with the times!
Bhutan The Land of Myths
Ah, Bhutan, the land where they measure Gross Domestic Happiness! The happiest place on earth? Well, not so much, and in fact, there are a lot of myths when it comes to the Kingdom of Bhutan! One of these is with regards to smoking. So, what’s the story?
For many years, smoking was heavily restricted in Bhutan, and in 2004 the government implemented one of the strictest tobacco laws in the world. Bhutan banned the sale of tobacco products entirely, even though it remained legal for individuals to bring in small quantities of cigarettes for personal use. The government justified the ban with health concerns and a desire to preserve the country’s Buddhist values, which emphasize cleanliness and purity of the body.
But over time, especially with the influx of tourism and the gradual shift in government attitudes, the rules softened. The smoking ban began to relax, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted focus away from prohibitionist laws toward more practical and business-friendly policies. More importantly, the government realised that strict laws against tobacco were not exactly helping anyone, and businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, were pushing for a more lenient approach.
Even when you bring cigarettes into the country, it’s largely ignored these days. Customs checks are generally relaxed, and many people simply pay a nominal duty on their tobacco products. The push to maintain Bhutan as a “smoke-free” country is still there in principle, but in practice, smoking has become more common and less policed.
How does smoking in Bhutan work in practice?
In practice, smoking in Bhutan is fairly straightforward, as long as you respect the general boundaries. You can definitely smoke on private property, such as hotels, where many rooms even provide ashtrays. If you’re in a hotel with a balcony, you’ll likely be allowed to light up as you enjoy the mountain views. Many bars, such as Alchemy Bar in Thimphu and others around the country, even have designated smoking rooms, so you can puff away without disturbing the non-smokers.
Public buildings and places of worship are no-go zones, just like in most of the world. It’s pretty much a given that you can’t smoke in government offices, airports, or inside public transport vehicles. But hey, that’s the case almost everywhere, so it’s no big deal. In fact, Bhutan is often far more relaxed about smoking than many places in Europe or North America.
What’s nice about Bhutan is that there’s still that feeling of “not everything is so tightly controlled,” so if you’re staying at a guesthouse, you can easily take a break outside and enjoy your cigarette while watching the world pass by. It’s a far cry from the blanket bans that exist in so many other countries.
So, yes, you can smoke in Bhutan, just like you can in many other places around the world, provided you’re sensible about where and when. Just don’t light up in a sacred place or a public area where it’s prohibited, and you’ll be fine. And if you’re unsure, you can always ask the locals, who are usually pretty laid-back about it.
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