In a historic and bold move for public health, the Maldives has enacted a permanent ban on tobacco use for its entire new generation. This legislation makes the Maldives the first country in the world to legally prohibit smoking for its future citizens.
According to the nation’s Ministry of Health, the new law applies to all individuals born on or after January 1, 2007. These individuals will be completely barred from purchasing, selling, or using any tobacco products for their entire lives.
This landmark law was approved by President Mohamed Muizzu in May. Its primary goal is to create a “smoke-free generation” and ensure that younger citizens are protected from the deadly effects of tobacco. Officials stated that this policy is in full alignment with the principles of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
