The Maldives has banned young people born on or after 1 January 2007 from smoking tobacco, becoming the only country in the world to enforce a nationwide generational tobacco prohibition. The archipelago's health ministry announced on Saturday that it would be illegal for younger generations to use, buy or sell tobacco within the country. The ban 'reflects the government's strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco', the ministry said. Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the archipelago's tobacco control board, told BBC World Service's Newshour programme that the country's general vaping ban last year had been a 'good step towards a generation of tobacco-free citizens'.
The new ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale. This aligns with the Maldives' obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, aimed at providing a global response to the tobacco epidemic. Mr Afaal mentioned that the country's crackdown on vaping was a vital first step as vaping products are often marketed to youth, posing health risks.
Tourists are also expected to comply with this new law, yet Mr Afaal asserts that the ban will not hinder tourism, as visitors come for the islands' natural beauty and fresh air rather than the option to smoke. Data supports this, showing no significant cancellations among tourists, and projections indicate a rise in arrivals next year. Plans by New Zealand to implement a similar generational smoking ban were recently halted, highlighting the Maldives' unique approach in global tobacco control.
The new ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale. This aligns with the Maldives' obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, aimed at providing a global response to the tobacco epidemic. Mr Afaal mentioned that the country's crackdown on vaping was a vital first step as vaping products are often marketed to youth, posing health risks.
Tourists are also expected to comply with this new law, yet Mr Afaal asserts that the ban will not hinder tourism, as visitors come for the islands' natural beauty and fresh air rather than the option to smoke. Data supports this, showing no significant cancellations among tourists, and projections indicate a rise in arrivals next year. Plans by New Zealand to implement a similar generational smoking ban were recently halted, highlighting the Maldives' unique approach in global tobacco control.
