The Maldives is the first nation in the world to implement a “generational” smoking ban, which prohibits the purchase, use, or sale of tobacco products in any form by anyone born on or after January 2007.
“The Generational Ban on Tobacco shows how dedicated the Government is to safeguarding young people from the dangers of tobacco. It also meets the Maldives’ responsibilities under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)”, stated the Maldives health ministry.
The Maldivian health ministry hailed this decision as a “historic milestone in the nation’s efforts to safeguard public health and foster a tobacco-free generation”.
Is this the first time such a move has been made?
There have been several proposals like this, but none have actually been put into action.
One noteworthy effort was the 2002 law in New Zealand that sought to outlaw the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009. It was originally set to start in 2024, but it was delayed by a year to help with tax cuts
What exactly is the Maldives’ generational smoking ban?
The ban, which prohibits individuals born on or after January 2007 from purchasing, using, or selling tobacco in any form, was established through the Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, signed by President Mohamed Muizzu.
Additionally, the South Asian island nation has a strict ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, which applies to everyone, regardless of age.
Why is the smoking ban such a significant move?
Smoking leads to over seven million deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO data indicates that in 2024, around 25.5 percent of the Maldivian population aged 15 to 69 were tobacco users.
For males, the percentage was 41.7, while for females, it was 9.3.
The tobacco usage rate was nearly double among young teens aged 13 to 15.
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