The Maldives has become the first nation globally to enact a permanent generational tobacco ban, prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2007.
Effective last Saturday, the landmark legislation means individuals currently 18 years old or younger will be legally unable to purchase, use, or sell tobacco for their entire lives.
The Maldives Ministry of Health hailed the move as a historic step, aimed at safeguarding public health and cultivating a smoke-free society for future generations.
This bold policy positions the island nation at the forefront of global anti-tobacco efforts, as other countries have proposed similar measures with mixed success.
New Zealand, for instance, passed a law in 2022 banning sales to those born after 2009, but its new government repealed the legislation in 2023 to recover tax revenue.
The United Kingdom is also considering a similar draft bill, which would prohibit tobacco sales to individuals born after January 1, 2009, with over 100 public health organizations urging its swift passage.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that tobacco claims over 7 million lives annually across the globe.
Despite its idyllic image, data from 2021 showed more than 25% of the adult population in the Maldives, aged 15-69, still used tobacco. Adolescent rates for 13-15 year olds were nearly double international averages.
For comparison, approximately 20% of adults in the United States smoke, while the figure in the United Kingdom stood at just 12% in 2023.
The generational ban is part of a broader, multi-year strategy by the Maldives to combat both traditional tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Late in 2024, the government will implement a comprehensive ban on the import, possession, use, manufacture, and sale of all e-cigarette products, irrespective of age.
Further initiatives include establishing free smoking cessation clinics throughout the islands, providing counseling and medication.
The government also plans incentive programs, such as cash rewards for communities that achieve 100% smoke-free status on their respective islands.
Analysts suggest the Maldives’ pioneering permanent generational ban could serve as a blueprint for other nations in Asia and the ASEAN region in their future public health policies.