The Maldives has become the first country in the world to implement a generational tobacco ban, prohibiting the purchase, sale, or use of tobacco products for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007.
Under the new law, these individuals will never be legally permitted to use or buy tobacco in the country, marking a major step toward creating a smoke-free generation.
The policy follows the government’s sweeping anti-vaping measures introduced in late 2024, which banned the import, sale, manufacture, possession, and use of all e-cigarettes for every age group. The Health Ministry described the generational ban, which took effect on Saturday, November 1, as a landmark achievement for public health.
Global data from the World Health Organization links smoking to over seven million deaths annually. In the Maldives, a 2021 survey revealed a significant tobacco problem: more than a quarter of adults aged 15–69 were smokers, while usage rates among 13–15-year-olds were nearly double those of adults—underscoring the urgency of the new legislation. The ban applies to visitors as well and covers all tobacco forms.
Other countries have explored similar measures. New Zealand nearly passed a comparable ban for those born after January 1, 2009, before repealing it in 2023 to fund tax cuts, drawing criticism from health advocates. The UK is currently advancing its own version of the bill, aiming to restrict tobacco sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, while tightening controls on both cigarettes and vapes.
Recognizing that legislation alone is insufficient, the Maldivian government plans additional support for current smokers. New Anti-Smoking Clinics will offer treatment and cessation assistance, and the president has proposed an incentive scheme that rewards islands that become completely smoke-free with cash payments distributed directly to residents.
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