Maldives has become the first country to implement a generational smoking ban, preventing anyone born after January 1, 2007, from purchasing or using tobacco products.
The Maldives has made history by becoming the first nation to enact a generational smoking ban. This groundbreaking law, which took effect on November 1, prohibits anyone born after January 1, 2007, from purchasing or using tobacco products.
Proposed earlier this year by President Mohamed Muizzu, the ban is part of the country’s broader efforts to protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation. The Ministry of Health hailed the legislation as a “historic milestone” in their ongoing fight against tobacco use.
The ban encompasses all forms of tobacco, and retailers are now required to verify the age of customers before completing any sale. Additionally, the Maldives maintains a strict prohibition on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, regardless of age.
<p”The Generational Ban on Tobacco reflects the Government’s strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco,” the Ministry stated in a press release.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has long identified tobacco use as an “epidemic” and one of the most significant public health threats globally. According to WHO data, tobacco use is responsible for over seven million deaths each year, along with disability and long-term suffering from tobacco-related diseases. The organization emphasizes that all forms of tobacco use are harmful and that there is no safe level of exposure.
Cigarette smoking remains the most common form of tobacco use worldwide, and the Maldives’ new law is a significant step toward reducing the prevalence of smoking among future generations.
While the Maldives is the first country to implement such a ban, New Zealand had previously proposed a similar measure. This proposed law aimed to prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009, starting in 2024. However, the proposal was ultimately struck down in 2023.
In addition to these efforts, Britain is currently considering a similar piece of legislation known as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. If passed, this law would prevent anyone born after January 1, 2009, from purchasing tobacco products or vaping devices.
The Maldives’ pioneering approach to tobacco regulation may inspire other nations to adopt similar measures, potentially reshaping global tobacco control efforts and improving public health outcomes.
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