Maldives Bans Youth Smoking

The Maldives has made history by becoming the first country in the world to introduce a generational smoking ban, making it illegal to smoke, buy, or sell tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2007. The law, which took effect on Saturday, marks what the country’s Ministry of Health described as a “historic milestone” toward building a tobacco-free generation and protecting public health.

According to the ministry, this unprecedented measure establishes the Maldives as the first nation to fully enforce a nationwide generational tobacco prohibition. Officials say the move reflects the government’s long-term commitment to reducing smoking rates and preventing young people from becoming addicted to nicotine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that tobacco use kills more than seven million people annually worldwide. In the Maldives, a 2021 national health survey showed that more than 25% of adults aged 15 to 69 use tobacco, while smoking rates among teenagers aged 13 to 15 were nearly twice as high. These alarming figures highlight the country’s urgent need for aggressive anti-tobacco action.

By contrast, smoking rates in many developed countries are lower  about 20% of adults in the United States and 12% in the United Kingdom were smokers as of recent years.

While the Maldives is the first to officially implement such a ban, other countries have considered similar steps. In New Zealand, lawmakers passed a world-leading measure in 2022 that would have banned tobacco sales for anyone born after January 1, 2009. However, the law was repealed a year later to help fund tax cuts, sparking outrage among public health advocates. In the United Kingdom, a similar proposal is currently being debated in Parliament, aiming to prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born after 2009 and strengthen regulations on cigarettes and vaping.

Health experts in Britain have urged swift approval of the bill, noting that over 120,000 young adults have taken up smoking since the last parliamentary debate. In an open letter, top medical and health leaders  including heads of cancer charities, hospitals, and the National Health Service (NHS)  pressed lawmakers to pass the legislation without delay.

The Maldives’ new law builds on years of tough anti-smoking measures. In late 2024, the government banned the import, sale, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes nationwide, regardless of age. Officials are also working to establish anti-smoking clinics across the country to offer medication and counseling to help people quit.

President Mohamed Muizzu has also proposed cash incentives for islands that manage to completely eliminate smoking, further encouraging communities to embrace the new tobacco-free initiative.

With this sweeping reform, the Maldives has positioned itself as a global leader in tobacco control, taking a bold step that could inspire other nations to follow. The generational ban marks a turning point in the global fight against tobacco addiction and underscores the country’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its future generations.