By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- The Maldives has begun enforcing a generational tobacco ban for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007.
- The ban applies to all tobacco products and includes age-verification requirements for retailers.
- The country also maintains a full ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping products for all ages.
The Maldives has started enforcing a historic ban on tobacco for future generations, preventing anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, from buying, using, or selling tobacco products.
The measure, which took effect on November 1, makes the island nation the first to implement a permanent, population-wide ban based on birth year, according to the Health Ministry.
The legislation, introduced by President Mohamed Muizzu earlier this year and ratified in May, aims to establish what the government refers to as a “tobacco-free generation.”
The ministry stated that the ban “protects public health and promotes a tobacco-free generation,” emphasizing that retailers must verify the age of all buyers and that the measure applies to all types of tobacco.
The restrictions apply to foreign visitors across the Maldives’ 1,191 islands, which stretch 800 km along the equator and are renowned worldwide for luxury tourism.
The government also reaffirmed that the Maldives has a comprehensive ban on electronic-cigarette products. The import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited for everyone, regardless of age.
Violations incur significant penalties, including a $50,000 fine for selling tobacco to minors and a $5,000 fine for using a vape device.
