Maldives Makes History: World's First Generational Tobacco Ban Takes Effect

MALÉ, Maldives
1st November 2025

In a groundbreaking global health initiative, the Maldives has officially implemented the world's first-ever generational ban on tobacco, a move designed to create a "Tobacco-Free Generation." The law, which came into force on November 1, 2025, permanently prohibits the sale and use of all tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2007.

A Landmark Law for Public Health

The ban was ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in May 2025 as an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act. According to an official blog from the President's Office, the core objective is to "safeguard the future generations of the Maldives from the devastating harms of tobacco use." This legislation represents one of the most ambitious tobacco control measures ever enacted globally.

Key Provisions of the Ban

The law establishes several critical rules:

• Lifetime Prohibition: Citizens and residents born in or after 2007 will never be legally allowed to purchase or use tobacco products in the Maldives.

• Comprehensive Product Coverage: The ban includes all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and—significantly—all vaping and e-cigarette products, which have been banned for all ages since 2024.

• Strict Enforcement: The law mandates stringent age-verification checks for retailers. Violations, such as selling tobacco to a person from the banned generation, carry severe penalties, including a fine of MVR 50,000.

• Universal Application: The ban applies to everyone within the country's territory, including international tourists.

A Necessary Step for National Health

The government's decisive action is a direct response to a significant public health crisis. Recent estimates indicated that over 21% of Maldivians aged 15 and above smoked daily. The health ministry has stated that the goal is to drastically reduce the lifelong harms of smoking, such as cancer, heart disease, and other non-communicable diseases, by preventing a new generation from ever starting.

Global Significance and Future Implications

The Maldives' policy places it at the forefront of a growing international movement. While countries like New Zealand and the UK have explored similar "smoke-free generation" laws, the Maldives is the first to fully implement and enforce such a ban.

Tobacco use remains one of the world's leading causes of preventable death, responsible for over seven million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization. By targeting an entire generation, the Maldives has launched a bold move in public health. If successful, this model could provide a powerful blueprint for other nations striving to eliminate the future burden of tobacco-related disease and death.

The bottom line is clear: the Maldives has not just raised the bar for tobacco control—it has set a new global benchmark, betting that the best way to win the war against tobacco is to ensure the next generation never joins the fight.

Source:
Government Blogs, Republic of Maldives
https://blogs.presidency.gov.mv/daily-blogs/generational-ban-on-smoking-goes-into-effect