The Maldives has introduced a historic generational tobacco ban, making it illegal for anyone born after January 1, 2007, to smoke, buy, or sell tobacco. The measure, effective from Saturday, aims to protect public health and create a tobacco-free generation, according to the Ministry of Health.
Globally, smoking causes over seven million deaths annually, and a 2021 survey showed more than a quarter of Maldivian adults and nearly double that of teens aged 13–15 used tobacco.
The Maldives is the first nation to implement such a nationwide ban, though similar proposals have been debated in countries like New Zealand and the UK, with mixed results.
This move follows the Maldives’ ongoing anti-tobacco efforts, including a 2024 ban on electronic cigarettes. Authorities also plan to expand anti-smoking clinics and have proposed incentives, such as cash rewards, to eliminate smoking across islands.
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