The Maldives became the first country in the world to enforce a generational tobacco ban on 1 November 2025.
Under the new law, any person born on or after 1 January 2007 is prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products.
The ban covers all types of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco.
Retailers are legally required to verify the age of all tobacco buyers before making any sale.
The restriction also applies to foreign tourists and visitors, not just citizens or residents of the Maldives.
The government has also banned the import, sale, possession, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping products for all age groups.
Violation of the law can result in heavy penalties, including a fine of 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa (about USD 3,200) for selling tobacco to restricted persons.
Use of banned vape devices may attract a fine of 5,000 Maldivian rufiyaa (about USD 320).
The policy was introduced under the Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act (Act No. 15/2010) in 2025.
The initiative was proposed by President Mohamed Muizzu as part of the government’s public health reforms.
The objective of the ban is to create a tobacco-free generation and protect youth from health hazards associated with smoking.
This legislation aligns with the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
Before this move, the Maldives had already implemented strict tobacco control measures, including raising the minimum age for tobacco purchase and banning vaping imports.
The Maldives is currently the only country in the world to implement a nationwide generational ban on tobacco.
New Zealand had earlier introduced a similar policy but repealed it in November 2023, making the Maldives the first to enforce it successfully.
The United Kingdom and a few other nations have proposed similar bans but have not yet implemented them.
The enforcement of the ban poses challenges, particularly because the Maldivian economy is heavily dependent on tourism, which includes many smoking visitors.
The government faces concerns related to black market trading and illegal supply of tobacco products.
Surveys by organizations such as UNICEF (2025) show that youth in the Maldives still face exposure to pro-tobacco influences.
Despite challenges, the ban is expected to strengthen public health, reduce future smoking rates, and set a global precedent for tobacco control policies.
