Maldives generational smoking ban
The Maldives has taken a historic step in tobacco control by introducing a generational ban on smoking for its younger citizens. According to official statements, the government will prohibit the sale, purchase and use of tobacco products for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007.
This decision was approved by President Mohamed Muizzu and his Cabinet in April 2025, following a proposal from the Ministry of Health. The legislation has already been ratified by the Parliament, and the new law is scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2025.
Under the law, retailers will be required to verify the buyer’s age and date of birth before selling tobacco products. The restrictions also ban sales by methods where age verification is difficult, such as online sales, vending machines or delivery services.
The government frames this initiative as a long-term strategy to create a “tobacco-free generation”, reduce the country’s major burden of non-communicable diseases linked to tobacco use, and protect youth from addiction.
According to recent youth surveys conducted by UNICEF in the Maldives, although youth have knowledge of the risks of tobacco, media influences and peer pressure continue to challenge efforts to keep young people tobacco-free.
While the policy has received praise for its bold approach, questions remain about enforcement. Some critics caution that without strong regulatory verification and support for cessation services, the ban may face compliance obstacles or give rise to grey markets.
