The Maldives has become the first country in the world to enforce a nationwide generational ban on tobacco. The new law prohibits anyone born o n or after January 1, 2007, from ever buying, using, or selling tobacco products .
The ban came into effect on November 1. The Maldivian Health Ministry described the move as a historic step to protect public health and create a tobacco-free generation . This bold policy makes the Maldives the only country currently operating with such a permanent prohibition aimed at an entire age group .
The law applies to all forms of tobacco. Retailers across the Indian Ocean archipelago are now required to verify a customer's age before any sale . The government has also stated that the ban applies to the millions of tourists who visit the country's luxury resorts each year, not just its citizens .
The generational tobacco ban represents a strict new phase in the government's anti-smoking efforts. President Mohamed Muizzu initiated the law earlier this year . The Health Ministry said the ban reflects the government's strong commitment to shielding young people from the dangers of tobacco . Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the nation's Tobacco Control Board, explained that the goal is to break the cycle of addiction and prevent future diseases .
This initiative builds on existing restrictions. The Maldives already had a complete ban on electronic cigarettes and vaping products for all people, regardless of their age . That ban, enacted in late 2024, made it illegal to import, sell, possess, or use e-cigarettes .
Enforcement of the new law includes significant financial penalties. Selling tobacco to a person born after the 2007 cutoff date carries a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa, which is about $3,200 . Using a vape device can result in a 5,000 rufiyaa fine, approximately $320 .
The government is confronting a significant public health challenge. A 2021 survey by the World Health Organization found that about a quarter of the Maldivian population over the age of 15 uses tobacco . The problem is even more pronounced among the young. Nearly half of all Maldivians between the ages of 13 and 15 consume some form of tobacco . The WHO has long called the global tobacco epidemic one of the biggest public health threats ever faced . Tobacco use is responsible for nearly seven million deaths worldwide each year .
Authorities do not believe the smoking ban will hurt the nation's vital tourism industry. Ahmed Afaal argued that people choose the Maldives for its beaches, sea, and fresh air, not for the ability to smoke . He reported no tourist cancellations due to the new rules and noted that visitor numbers have grown. The country projects more than two million tourist arrivals in the coming year .
The Maldives now stands alone in implementing this type of law, but other countries have considered the same path. New Zealand was the first nation to pass a generational smoking ban in 2022. Its law would have prohibited tobacco sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009 . However, a new government repealed the law in late 2023 before it could take effect .
In the United Kingdom, a similar proposal is still moving through Parliament . The British bill would ban tobacco and vape sales for anyone born after January 1, 2009 . Health leaders there recently urged lawmakers to pass the bill, claiming that delays have already allowed thousands of young adults to start smoking .
The global health community has praised the Maldivian decision. Judith Mackay, a director at the Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control, said she fully supports the government's action . The Maldivian government itself sees the ban as a point of national pride. First Lady Saajidhaa Mohamed called it a powerful investment in the well-being of future generations . Education Minister Ismail Shafeeu said it is a great honor for a small country to lead by example on a global health issue .
The new ban is not designed to have an immediate impact. Instead, it is a long-term strategy. Over time, it aims to create a healthier population and reduce government spending on tobacco-related healthcare . For the people of the Maldives, the law signals a permanent shift. As one local resident noted, this policy will ultimately create a smoke-free generation .