A world-first policy in public-health
The Maldives has taken a dramatic step in tobacco control by passing legislation that prohibits the sale, purchase and use of tobacco products by anyone born on or after 1 January 2007. Under the amendment to the Tobacco Control Act (Act No. 15/2010), as ratified on 21 May 2025, the country becomes the only nation so far to introduce a generational smoking ban designed to create a tobacco-free generation.
The measure is scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2025.
Key features of the legislation
- The sale, purchase and use of all tobacco products is prohibited for individuals born on or after 1 January 2007.
- The law also raises the minimum legal age for tobacco purchase to 21 years, and imposes a duty on sellers to verify both age and date of birth.
- Additional provisions include a complete ban on imports, production machinery or equipment related to tobacco manufacturing, and a ban on electronic-cigarettes, vaping devices and associated accessories.
- All forms of tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion are outlawed. Retailers must ensure any sale is to someone born before 2007 and over 21.
Why the Maldives adopted the “generational” ban
The Maldivian government cites a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — such as heart disease, cancer and respiratory illness — which it links to tobacco use. A national survey found that 21.8 % of 15- to 29-year-olds smoked tobacco. President Mohamed Muizzu publicly emphasised the need to protect future generations, saying that limiting smoking among youth born after 2007 would help build a healthier nation. The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the policy, saying it was a “bold step” toward protecting young people from tobacco-related harm.
Expected benefits and the global context
Supporters argue that the Maldives’ policy could:
- Prevent initiation of smoking among youth altogether, rather than merely delaying it.
- Reduce the long-term public-health burden and associated healthcare expenditure for NCDs.
- Serve as a model for other countries exploring “end-game” tobacco policies.
In that regard, although other jurisdictions (such as some U.S. states and the former proposal in New Zealand) have considered similar generational bans, the Maldives is currently the only country to enact it nationwide.
Challenges and criticisms ahead
- Enforcement and compliance: Given the archipelagic geography of the Maldives, monitoring and enforcing the ban across remote islands poses logistical hurdles.
- Black-market risks: Some critics warn the generational ban could drive illicit trade in tobacco among young people, undermining public-health aims.
- Tourism and external visitors: The country remains a major international tourist destination; how the ban applies to tourists and visitors remains under discussion.
- Equity and legality concerns: The law differentiates people by birth year (a legal line at January 2007), which raises questions about fairness, age discrimination and unintended social consequences.
What to watch as the law takes effect
- The rate of youth smoking initiation and how it changes after November 2025.
- Compliance by retailers, including ID checks and date-of-birth verification — and rates of enforcement actions/fines.
- Whether the ban influences broader policy developments elsewhere (for example, the UK, U.S. states, or Pacific island nations) as a precedent.
- How tourism, cross-border imports and smuggling respond — particularly in resort areas where tobacco use among visitors remains common.
- The effectiveness of accompanying cessation and public-health support programs (e.g., quit clinics, alternative nicotine therapies) for current smokers older than the threshold.
The takeaway
The Maldives’ generational tobacco ban is a pioneering move that seeks to rewrite the paradigm: rather than chasing reductions in smoking prevalence among adults, it aims to prevent a generation from ever starting. While promising in ambition, the real test lies in implementation, monitoring, and managing unintended side-effects. If it succeeds, the Maldives could provide a replicable model for governments around the world trying to end the tobacco epidemic once and for all.
