The Maldives has banned young people born on or after 1 January 2007 from smoking tobacco, becoming the only country in the world to enforce a nationwide generational tobacco prohibition.
The archipelago's health ministry announced on Saturday that it would be illegal for younger generations to use, buy, or sell tobacco within the country.
The ban reflects the government's strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco, according to the ministry.
Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the archipelago's tobacco control board, stated that the country's general vaping ban last year had been a good step towards a generation of tobacco-free citizens.
The new ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale, aligning with the Maldives' obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
According to the UN's health body, this convention provides a global response to a global problem – namely, the tobacco epidemic.
Mr. Afaal emphasized that the crackdown on vaping was crucial, as new vaping products are tactics used by the industry to attract younger users, which can harm their health.
Last year, the Maldives made it illegal for anyone to import, sell, possess, use, or distribute electronic cigarettes and vaping products, regardless of age.
Tourists visiting the Maldives will also have to adhere to this new law. However, Mr. Afaal believes that the smoking ban will not hinder tourism, as people primarily come to the Maldives for its beaches, sea, sun, and fresh air.
He noted that despite the ban, visitor numbers have not dropped, and they expect more than 2 million tourists next year.
The move follows a failed attempt in New Zealand in 2023 to introduce a similar generational smoking ban under a new government, while the UK is in the process of passing a law to ban smoking for those born after 2009.
