The Maldives cabinet has decided to implement a generational tobacco ban for individuals born on or after January 1, 2007. Under this ban, the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco will be prohibited for those falling under this age category. The ban is set to come into effect on November 1, 2025, following a six-month period allocated for enforcement authorities to revise existing regulations in line with the amended law.
To support the initiative, the cabinet has instructed the Ministry of Finance and Planning to work with the Ministry of Health to facilitate access to tobacco cessation services. The decision was made after a public poll conducted by the President, although the cabinet opted for the year 2007 as the cut-off, despite the majority of poll participants favoring the ban for those born in 2000 or later.
This move follows the country’s ban on vapes, which came into effect on December 15, 2024, with hefty fines outlined for the use and sale of vaping products.
- News source: Generational tobacco ban to be implemented for those born 2007 onwards