The Republic of Maldives has enacted a landmark generational smoking ban, making it illegal for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, to legally purchase or use tobacco products. The ban, which took effect last Saturday, makes the Maldives the first country to enforce such a nationwide policy, which reportedly also applies to visitors.
This historic measure is part of President Mohamed Muizzu's broader anti-smoking campaign, driven by high rates of tobacco-related illness and death in the nation. As of 2021, over a quarter of the Maldivian adult population used tobacco, with rates nearly double for teens aged 13-15. The new law is an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act and follows other recent anti-nicotine measures, including a late 2024 ban on the import, sale, and use of all vapes and e-cigarettes, and a doubling of import duties and taxes on cigarettes.
While New Zealand passed a similar generational ban in 2022, it was later repealed before taking effect. The Maldives' successful implementation now positions it at the forefront of global tobacco control efforts. The government also plans to establish anti-smoking clinics and has proposed cash rewards for islands that completely eliminate smoking.
