New National Law Bans Smoking for Entire Generation

In a landmark public health initiative, the Maldives has implemented the world’s first generational smoking ban, prohibiting anyone born after January 1, 2007, from purchasing, using or possessing tobacco products. The new law, which took effect on November 1, represents a bold approach to curbing tobacco addiction by preventing an entire generation from legally accessing these products.

Proposed earlier this year by President Mohamed Muizzu, the ban has been hailed by the country’s Ministry of Health as a “historic milestone in the nation’s efforts to protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation.” The sweeping legislation applies to all forms of tobacco and requires retailers to verify customers’ ages before completing sales.

The generational ban complements the Maldives’ existing comprehensive restrictions on electronic cigarettes and vaping products. The island nation already maintains a complete prohibition on the import, sale, distribution, possession and use of all vaping products regardless of a user’s age, making its tobacco control policies among the most stringent globally.

“The Generational Ban on Tobacco reflects the Government’s strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco,” the Ministry stated in its announcement, underscoring the preventative approach to public health being adopted in the tourism-dependent archipelago.

The World Health Organization has long classified tobacco use as an “epidemic” and “one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced.” According to WHO data, tobacco-related illnesses cause more than seven million deaths annually worldwide and lead to significant disability and long-term health complications.

“All forms of tobacco use are harmful, and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco,” the agency emphasizes, noting that cigarette smoking remains the most prevalent form of tobacco consumption globally.

The Maldives’ pioneering legislation comes after similar initiatives in other countries have faced setbacks. New Zealand had proposed a comparable ban that would have prohibited tobacco sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009, starting in 2024. However, that legislation was repealed in 2023 before it could take effect.

Britain is currently considering its own version of a generational tobacco ban. The proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill would prevent anyone born after January 1, 2009, from legally purchasing tobacco products or vapes, following a similar preventative public health strategy.

Public health experts view generational bans as a novel approach to gradually phasing out tobacco use. Unlike traditional age restrictions that simply delay legal access to tobacco, these bans create a permanent prohibition for specific birth cohorts, theoretically leading to the eventual elimination of legal tobacco consumption as older generations age out.

The tobacco industry, which generates hundreds of billions in annual revenue worldwide, faces increasing regulatory challenges as more countries implement stricter control measures. The Maldives’ approach could provide a model for other nations considering more aggressive tactics to reduce smoking rates, particularly among young people.

For the Maldives, a country of about 500,000 people spread across approximately 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean, the ban represents a significant public health investment. Known primarily as a luxury tourism destination, the country faces unique implementation challenges due to its geography and economy.

Health authorities will now focus on enforcement mechanisms, including retailer education and compliance monitoring, to ensure the generational ban achieves its intended impact of creating a tobacco-free future generation in the Maldives.