The island nation of the Maldives has officially become the first country in the world to impose a generational ban on tobacco. This groundbreaking law outlaws the buying, selling, or use of any tobacco products for anyone born on or after 1 January 2007.

This means that individuals who fall into this age group will never be legally allowed to purchase or use tobacco in the Maldives, effectively aiming to create a tobacco-free generation.

The generational ban is the latest, and most significant, step in the Maldives’ aggressive campaign against smoking.

This initiative actually follows a recent, strict prohibition on electronic cigarettes: in late 2024, the Maldivian government banned the import, possession, use, manufacture, and sale of all vaping products for people of all ages. The Ministry of Health has addressed the generational ban, which came into force on Saturday (November 1), as a historic milestone for public health.

The global statistics on tobacco are alarming—the World Health Organization outlined that smoking claims over seven million lives worldwide each year.

In the Maldives, a 2021 national survey emphasized a significant public health issue: more than one-quarter of adults aged 15 to 69 used tobacco, and the prevalence among teenagers aged 13 to 15 was nearly twice as high as the adult rate.

This local data underscores the urgency behind the new law. The ban also applies to visitors and covers all forms of tobacco.

While the Maldives is the first to implement the ban, other countries have considered similar legislation. For instance, in 2022, New Zealand came close to enacting a similar world-first ban for anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

Nevertheless, the bill was repealed just a year later to help fund tax cuts—a move that sparked outrage among public health officials. However, the United Kingdom has also seen similar bills proposed, and a new version is currently progressing through Parliament, aiming to prohibit tobacco sales for anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, while also tightening regulations on both tobacco and vaping products.

Authorities recognize that legislation alone isn't enough. To support current smokers and fully realize a smoke-free country, the government is planning several supportive measures.

Anti-Smoking Clinics will be established to provide medication and support for residents trying to quit tobacco.

The president has even suggested a unique incentive: offering cash rewards to communities on islands that successfully become smoke-free, with the reward deposited directly into the bank accounts of all residents.