The Maldives has officially begun enforcing a nationwide smoking ban for anyone born after January 1, 2007, becoming the first country in the world to fully implement a generational prohibition on tobacco, according to the nation’s Health Ministry.
The regulation, which took effect on November 1, was introduced earlier this year under President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. It aims to “protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation.”
“Under the new provision, individuals born on or after January 1, 2007, are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives,” the ministry said in a statement. “The ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age before making any sale.”
The rule applies to both citizens and visitors to the island nation, which comprises more than 1,190 coral islets across the Indian Ocean and is renowned for its luxury tourism industry.
Authorities said the measure is part of a broader strategy to curb tobacco use, discourage youth smoking, and strengthen national health protections. Enforcement, they stressed, will be strict and comprehensive.
The Health Ministry also reaffirmed that the Maldives maintains a total ban on electronic cigarettes and vaping products, including their import, sale, distribution, possession, and use, regardless of age.
Violators face heavy penalties: those caught selling tobacco to underage individuals risk fines of 50,000 rufiyaa (about $3,200), while anyone found using vape devices may be fined 5,000 rufiyaa (about $320).
“This generational policy ensures that future generations are free from the harms of tobacco addiction and the burden of tobacco-related diseases,” a ministry spokesperson said.
While Britain continues to debate a similar measure, the Maldives now stands alone in enforcing it. New Zealand, the first country to pass a generational smoking ban, repealed its law in November 2023, less than a year after its introduction.
