Maldives becomes only nation with generational smoking ban

The Maldives Implements Generational Smoking Ban

The Maldives has taken a bold step in the fight against tobacco by implementing a smoking ban that applies to individuals born on or after January 2007. This makes the Maldives the only nation with a generational prohibition on tobacco, aimed at creating a tobacco-free generation, as announced by the Health Ministry.

President Mohamed Muizzu initiated this move earlier in the year to protect public health and promote a healthier lifestyle among the youth. The new provision prohibits individuals born on or after January 1, 2007 from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives. Retailers are required to verify age before selling any tobacco products to customers.

This ban encompasses all forms of tobacco and extends to visitors as well, including those who come to the Maldives for its luxury tourism. Additionally, the ministry has also imposed a comprehensive ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, applicable to individuals of all ages.

Penalties for violating these regulations are strict, with selling tobacco products to underage individuals carrying a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa ($3,200), while using vape devices can result in a fine of 5,000 rufiyaa ($320).

It is worth noting that a similar generational ban proposed in Britain is still undergoing the legislative process, while New Zealand, the first country to enact such a law against smoking, repealed it in November 2023, less than a year after its introduction.