In a groundbreaking move to safeguard public health, the Maldives has become the first country in the world to ban tobacco use for an entire generation. The new law, which took effect on Saturday, prohibits anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, from buying, using, or being sold cigarettes or any tobacco products in the island nation. This means that those who are 18 years of age or younger today will never be legally allowed to smoke in the Maldives, even as they grow older.

The Maldives Health Ministry said the law aims to “protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation,” emphasizing the country’s strong commitment to reducing the burden of smoking-related diseases. The ban applies not only to residents but also to tourists visiting the Maldives, a country made up of nearly 1,200 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean.

Retailers are now required to verify the age of anyone purchasing tobacco products, and selling cigarettes or other tobacco items to those born after the cutoff date can lead to a fine of 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa, equivalent to about 3,200 US dollars.

The measure adds to the Maldives’ already strict anti-smoking policies, which include a complete ban on the import, sale, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices for people of all ages. Anyone caught using a vape can be fined up to 5,000 rufiyaa, or about 320 US dollars.

The Maldives’ new law follows a similar move by New Zealand, which had introduced a generational smoking ban in 2022. However, the New Zealand government repealed the policy in 2023, making the Maldives the first country in the world to officially implement and sustain such a measure.

Public health experts have described the Maldives’ decision as a historic step toward building a healthier, smoke-free generation. They believe this bold initiative could inspire other countries to adopt similar measures to curb tobacco use and prevent future generations from falling into nicotine addiction.

With smoking remaining one of the leading causes of preventable deaths globally, the Maldives’ approach represents a shift from harm reduction to prevention. By permanently restricting access to tobacco for younger generations, the island nation aims to not only reduce smoking-related illnesses but also change societal attitudes toward tobacco consumption.

As the world observes this pioneering step, the Maldives’ commitment to creating a tobacco-free future could serve as a model for other nations, demonstrating that ending smoking for future generations is both achievable and sustainable.