Maldives bans tobacco for anyone born after 2007

The Maldives has become the first country in the world to implement a generational smoking ban, prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco for anyone born after January 1, 2007 — a landmark policy aimed at protecting future generations.

The initiative, introduced earlier this year by President Mohamed Muizzu, officially came into force on November 1, as reported by The Guardian.

Retailers are now required to verify buyers’ ages at the point of sale. Selling tobacco to minors carries a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa (around $3,200).

“The generational ban is a bold step to ensure that young Maldivians grow up free from the deadly influence of tobacco,” the Health Ministry said, noting that the policy aligns with the Maldives’ commitments under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The ban extends to tourists visiting the island nation of 1,191 coral islets scattered across 800 kilometres of the Indian Ocean — a country known for its luxury resorts and pristine beaches.

The ministry added that the Maldives also enforces a comprehensive prohibition on the import, sale, possession, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping products, regardless of age. Violations of the vape ban incur the same 5,000-rufiyaa penalty.

While the Maldives’ approach might seem radical to some, others have also been considering to adopt such measures themselves. A similar generational smoking ban is still under debate in the United Kingdom by lawmakers, while New Zealand — once a pioneer of such legislation — had to repeal its version in November 2023, less than a year after it took effect.

The WHO considers the tobacco epidemic to be one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, responsible for over 7 million deaths annually, as well as disability and long-term suffering from tobacco-related diseases. 

It points out that around 80% of the 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries, "where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is heaviest." The health organization views all forms of tobacco use as harmful and warns that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco

By Nazrin Sadigova